ither case, I think the present one ought to let the absent one
know, before taking any action. But don't look so blue. You forget
that we shall both be in our districts, at a safe distance from
Ranjitgarh, for six months at least."

"And in the meantime she may marry some one else."

"Then we shan't have lost our friendship as well as her."

Charteris clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh. "I believe you, my
boy! You don't know what a bore it has been this last fortnight,
remembering what was between us whenever I wanted to tell you anything.
Done with you, then, subject to necessary modifications to be agreed
upon from time to time by mutual consent, and to the approval of the
lady."

"But you wouldn't tell her?" cried Gerrard, aghast.

"Wouldn't I, just? Why, how is she to keep our joint memory green
against the assaults of eligible subcommissioners and fat Commissariat
colonels, unless she has this to remember us by? Hang suffering in
silence! Let her know what fine fellows she has got waiting on her
nod."

"Well, you can tell her," unwillingly.

"Not I. Be carried away into proposing again, and lose my turn? no,
thank you. We will tell her together, my young friend, and keep a
jolly keen eye on each other the whole time. And we'll do it at the
ball. Come, this is something like life!"

"But she may not choose to grant us an opportunity."

Charteris winked in the most vulgar manner. "What'll you take on it?
Do you think she don't know she has set you and me by the ears? If
not, old Mother Jardine will soon enlighten her. And then--oh, my
revered Hal, can you doubt what her first move will be? To reconcile
us, my boy, as if we were two dirty little snivelling urchins in her
village school at home! Will she make us shake hands? Oh, ain't it
glorious!"

He dropped into his chair, helpless with laughter, while Gerrard
surveyed him with distaste. It was some consolation to feel that Bob
could not possibly be properly in love, if he could thus contemplate
the likelihood of the object of his affections making herself
ridiculous. But as if he had read his friend's thoughts, Charteris sat
up suddenly, and spoke with perfect gravity.

"Mind you, Hal, all this don't signify that I forgive you in the least
for coming between her and me. I'm willing to call a truce because
falling out is horrid inconvenient, and looks silly. But your
intrusive existence has turned love's young dream into a f