he has not returned from his ride."

Gerrard promised mechanically, and forgot all about the promise as soon
as it was uttered. He arrived at Government House somehow, and
immediately became the cause of much disturbance of mind to the
servants, who were scandalized at his early arrival, and still more so
at his demand to see the Miss Sahib. Honour's own ayah was fetched to
assure him that "Missy Sahib done dress," which meant exactly the
opposite of what it sounded like, and the highly responsible
head-bearer ventured to advise the Sahib to take a little ride, and
return in half an hour or so. But Gerrard was not to be so easily
dismissed.

"Tell the Miss Sahib that I will wait as long as she chooses, but that
I must speak to her before dinner," he said.

"_Shabash_,[2] Gerrard! Nothing like putting your foot down in good
time," cried James Antony, charging out of the house and mounting his
waiting pony. "If only the General and I had done it, we should not
both be in fear of our lives at this moment. You owe me a good turn
for making him late."

If Sir Arthur was late in dressing, his daughter must have been very
early, for Gerrard had not been sitting long in the smaller
drawing-room, sadly incommoding the servants who were lighting the
candles in their glass shades, when Honour came into the room,
fastening her short gloves, with a defiant swish of white silk flounces.

"You sent me a very peremptory message just now, Mr Gerrard."

Any one less preoccupied than Gerrard would have detected a suspicion
of trembling in the clear tones, but he was too much taken aback by the
accusation hurled at him.

"I am very sorry. Nothing could have been further----"

"So I just came to tell you that I am not accustomed to messages of
that kind, and to beg you not to do it again." Holding her head very
high, she turned to sweep out of the room, but Gerrard was at the door
before her.

"No, not without letting me speak!" he entreated incoherently. "If you
knew what it means to me, how long I have looked forward----! That
noble fellow Charteris gave me your message----"

"I think you must be dreaming, Mr Gerrard!" The chilly indignation of
her tone brought him to himself. "I send you a message by Major
Charteris? Never!"

"Forgive me; I hardly know what I am saying. He told me you had
refused him, and I thought that it might be because--that there might
be some one else."

"But even then?" She still fa