I confess that I could not endure this prospect, although I prudently kept my own counsel. Already I had learnt that it is unpardonable to announce that you are not delighted to go back to England, but would much prefer to remain in India. With respect to this guilty secret Mrs. Lakin and I were of one mind. I should mention that after all I had only enjoyed the best of India, and I loved the country; I had never experienced a hot season, and had only seen the bright side of life--beautiful Silliram, imposing Hyderabad, the dignified noblemen of the Nizam's Court, and the warm-hearted Anglo-Indian community.
At this time--which was shortly before Christmas--Ronnie was unusually busy. He rarely had a spare hour to ride with me of a morning, or to drive me down to the tennis courts. The colonel was "so beastly fussy," he said, and there was such a lot to do when a regiment was under orders for home. Ronnie was often late for dinner, as he would gallop down to the club for a game of rackets or billiards--"something to work off orderly room and red tape"--and there he often forgot both time--and me!
One evening I was sitting in the drawing-room, patiently awaiting his return, when I heard someone ride up, and called out: "Oh, Ronnie, I'm afraid your dinner is a cinder!"
As there was no reply I looked over my shoulder and, to my amazement, beheld Captain Falkland standing in the doorway. It was after eight o'clock. What could have brought him? Perhaps he had come to break the news of an accident to my brother--who rode and drove at headlong speed.
"Has anything happened?" I asked, springing to my feet.
"Nothing to anyone that concerns you," he answered; "only to _me_."
"I hope it is not serious?" I said, feeling not a little bewildered by this late visit. "Won't you sit down?"
"I had a cable from home," he began, and I knew from his voice that he was nervous. "My father has had a paralytic seizure, and I'm off to England to-night. The general has been most awfully kind about it," he paused for a moment, and then went on: "I need scarcely say that I could not leave the country without saying good-bye to _you_."
I felt my face glowing, and murmured a civility that was I am afraid unintelligible.