singing at the concert to-morrow night; and
there's the dance at Government House the night after. I must follow you
later."

"But that means your travelling alone," he argued. "Wouldn't it be much
pleasanter for you to come with me?"

"Don't worry about me for goodness' sake, Frank. I'm not a helpless
person. I came across India by myself to get here; and surely I'll be
able to manage to do a twenty-four hours' journey alone."

"Very well, dear," he replied with an inward, unacknowledged feeling of
relief that the decisive step had not to be taken yet. "I'll come down
from Ranga Duar with an elephant to meet you at the railway station when
you arrive. Now, while you're changing for breakfast, I'll rush round to
the Oriental and see if Mrs. Dermot has more news."

When he reached the hotel he found Noreen busily packing. She was pale
and evidently deeply distressed, although outwardly calm and collected.

"You have heard?" she asked, as he entered her sitting-room.

"Only that your husband is starting for England on sick leave and that
I'm to return at once. What's the matter? I hope it's not serious."

"Mr. Macdonald wires that Kevin must go at once to England for an
operation. He says I'm not to worry, as there is no immediate danger.
But of course I can't help being alarmed. It's all so sudden. I didn't
know that Kevin was ill. Mr. Macdonald is travelling with him to the
junction on the main line where the children and I are to meet them.
Isn't it kind of him? I'm so glad to know my husband will have someone
with him until I come."

"We'll meet at the railway station after lunch, then," said Wargrave.
"We'll be together as far as the junction."

Mrs. Dermot hesitated.

"Are you travelling alone?" she asked.

Frank flushed as he replied:

"Yes. She--Violet is to follow later."

Noreen made no comment; and having learned all that he could he returned
to his hotel.

He dreaded the ordeal of the parting with Mrs. Norton, but when the time
came for it he found his fear of a distressing scene quite uncalled for.
She said goodbye to him in a pleasantly friendly, though somewhat
casual, manner, and did not offer to accompany him to the station as she
had a previous engagement. And long before the little train had
zig-zagged down the seven thousand feet to the foot of the Himalayas she
had dismissed him from her mind.

The truth was that the gay and admired Mrs. Norton, caught up in the
whirlwind of social