as the middle of the audience room, in close
colloquy with, and manifesting an almost affectionate leave-taking of,
the silver-haired millionaire of Delhi.

But that night the most confidential General "at disposal" received from
the Viceroy some secret orders which caused the experienced soldier's
eyes to open widely.

"Remember! The personal interests of the Crown are involved here!" said
the Viceroy. "Any mistake might cost me my Sovereign's confidence and
you your commission, perhaps a Star of India!" he laughed, with an
affected lightness.

In far-away Delhi, as the sun faded away into the soft summer twilight,
Harry Hardwicke was sitting at the side of Nadine Johnstone, while her
stern father secretly exulted in distant Calcutta. He had already mailed
by registered post a set of duplicated receipts and insurance policies
for his last shipment addressed to "Professor Andrew Fraser" and his
mind was centered upon some peculiarly pleasurable coming events to take
place in the Marble House. But the dreamy-eyed girl watching the man who
had so gallantly saved her life, thought only of a love which had stolen
into her heart to wake all its slumbering chords to life, and to loosen
the sweet music of her singing soul! They were alone, save for the bent
figure of Justine Delande at a distant window, and the spirit of Love
breathed upon them silently drew them heart to heart.

Here now, before the divinity so fondly worshiped, Harry Hardwicke lost
his soldier's ready voice. "Say no more! You need rest, Miss Nadine!
I shall only call to-morrow to assure myself of your perfect recovery.
When your father returns I shall do myself the honor to ask his formal
permission to visit you later." There was a sigh and a sob as Nadine
Johnstone took her silent lover's hands and pressed them in her own,
bursting into happy tears.

"I owe you my life--my father shall speak, but in my own heart I shall
treasure your splendid bravery forever!" Her tall young knight stooped
over the little hands, kissed them, and was turning to go, when the
maiden slipped off a sparkling ring. "Wear this always for my sake; I
can say no more till we meet again!" And, bending low, Captain Hardwicke
stepped backward, as from a queen's presence, leaving her there, weak,
loving, and trembling in a strange delight.

As he rode slowly homeward in the evening's glow, he passed Major Alan
Hawke dashing away to the railway station in a carriage. Traveling
lugg