The Path to Honour Part 36

"So it is! But you won't insist on my remaining a failure always, for I'm hanged if I do. With you to inspire--to help----"

Could it be the silent, reserved Honour whose transfigured face was raised to his. "Oh, you will let me, you think I can?" she breathed.

"I wanted, so dreadfully, to help people when I first came out, but no one seemed to want it--or else they just asked me to marry them----"

"But so have I. At least, that was my intention."

"Oh, you! But you are different. And I may try to help?"

A deprecating ayah, who had been making signs in vain from the verandah, advanced in desperation. "Lady Memsahib done say wish done see Missy Sahib," she murmured, with downcast eyes.

"Well, is it all serene?" inquired Charteris, as Gerrard returned to their quarters that night.

"All right--thanks to you, Bob."

"Oh, shut up! Seventh heaven?"

"Seventy times seventh."

"I believe you, my boy! Papa and mamma agreeable?"

"They were most kind. Sir Arthur would have preferred you, Bob--I can't help seeing that--but he was quite decent. I even saw poor little Mrs Cowper for a moment. She cried, and said how glad she was."

"Uncommon affecting! And she, herself?"

"She's--she's--I can't express what she is, even to you, Bob. Hang it!

I believe I could talk of her all night, and get no nearer. She is an angel from heaven."

"Question is, has she made up her mind at last--no more s.h.i.+lly-shallying? Hope I don't intrude in asking it."

"Made up her mind---- Are you trying to throw doubts----? Oh, I see.

But it's a thousand years since then, Bob. You yourself could have no doubt, if you saw her."

"All right; I'm quite satisfied. If a doleful beggar like yourself can feel free from doubt----"

"I could no more doubt her than the sun at noon. Bob, I'll tell you.

She will go with me to Central India when Sir Edmund goes."

Charteris sat up in his chair. "Nonsense!" he said sharply. "What folly is this? You are talking of leaving Granthistan?"

"I had made up my mind to it before you came to me this afternoon, and she agrees with me that it is the right thing."

"My dear fellow, you don't know. I was talking to the G.-G.'s military secretary to-night, and he let slip that there would be a local majority for you at the next distribution of honours. If you leave Granthistan, of course that falls through."

"Then I must wait till it comes in the natural course of things."

"You don't seem to realise that Sir Arthur's influence won't help you outside Granthistan, and will be very little use in any line but the military. What's taken you?"

"It's simply that I mean to stick to Sir Edmund. My views as to the treatment of the natives were learnt from him, and I can work better with him than with our Mr James, much as I respect him."

"James Antony is the coming man, and the man for me. But if you will choose the losing side--why, I suppose you must. It's like her, too."

"It is, indeed--since she chose me and not you. Bob, I'm still lost in wonder over that."

Charteris moved impatiently. "Shows her wisdom. I don't mind telling you, Hal--it may make you more comfortable to hear it--that I had misgivings. Not about my own happiness--Heaven knows that I could ask nothing better--but whether I could make her happy. I can't spout Tennyson to her, or appreciate her pretty little German tales about knights and water-nymphs--the _New Sporting Magazine_ and _Lays of Ancient Rome_ are more my number. Evidently I am cut out for pacifying Darwan rather than for domestic joys. And after all, two years ago I would have given my ears to be where I am now. You have Honour, and I have honours, you see"--with a fairly creditable laugh--"and so everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds."

[1] Big dinner.

[2] Bravo.

NOVELS by SYDNEY C. GRIER

Modern East Series.

The Advanced Guard His Excellency's English Governess Peace with Honour The Warden of the Marches

Balkan Series.

An Uncrowned King A Crowned Queen The Kings of the East The Prince of Captivity

Indian Historical Series.

In Furthest Ind Like Another Helen The Great Proconsul

Balkan Series. II.

The Heir The Heritage

The Power of the Keys

A Young Man Married