took
him up with his tail; and so on, backwards and forwards, when, getting
quite out of patience, I caught Lizzy's hand in mine, saying: "Never
mind the elephant--let's have it over;" and she gave a sharp scream.

I jumped to my feet, biting off, half swallowing a bit of pipe-shank as
I did so, and then stood drenched with perspiration, listening to a
scuffling noise in the next room; when, shaking off the stupid confused
feeling, I ran towards the door just as another scream--not a loud, but
a faint excited scream--rang in my ears, and the next moment Lizzy Green
was sobbing and crying in my arms, and that black thief Chunder was
crawling on his hands and knees to the door, where he got up, holding
his fist to his mouth, and then he turned upon me such a look as I have
never forgotten.

I don't wonder at the people of old painting devils with black faces,
for I don't know anything more devilish-looking than a black's phiz when
it is drawn with rage, and the eyes are rolling about, now all black
flash, now all white, while the grinning ivories below seem to be
grinding and ready to tear you in pieces.

It was after that fashion that Chunder looked at me as he turned at the
door; but I was then only thinking of the trembling, frightened girl I
held in my arms, trying at the same time to whisper a few gentle words,
while I had hard work to keep from pressing my lips to her white
forehead.

But the next minute she disengaged herself from my grasp, and held out
her little white hand to me, thanking me as sweetly as thanks could be
given.

"Perhaps you had better not say a word about it," she whispered. "He's
come under pretence of seeing the nurse, and been rude to me once or
twice before. I came here to sit at that window with my work, and did
not see him come behind me."

I started as she spoke about that open window, for it looked out upon
the spot where I sometimes stood sentry; but then, Harry Lant sometimes
stood just in the same place, and I don't know whether it was a strange
impression caused by his coming, that made me think of him, but just
then there were footsteps, and, with his pipe in his mouth, and
fatigue-jacket all unbuttoned, Harry entered the room.

"Beg pardon; didn't know it was engaged," he says lightly, as he stepped
back; and then he stopped, for Lizzy called to him by his name.

"Please walk back with me to Mrs Maine's quarters," she said softly;
and once more holding her hand out to m