I endeavoured to thank him, but he would not listen to me; on the contrary, he insisted on my listening to _him_.
"I must tell you that I do not approve of this step you are taking--no more does Lucy. Of course old Jane de Castro will look after you, but you will find her a dull companion, and I do not see how you can possibly hold on with her for more than a few months. I can enter into your feelings in wishing to be near your brother, but I am sure you ought to think a little of yourself, and after you have seen him and cheered him up a bit, you really should go home."
I listened to his advice with profound respect, but I was sensible that nothing would induce me to accept it. Mrs. Lakin, too, had provided me with a generous supply of admonition and warnings; and also endowed me with a basket of provisions that would have kept a hungry family for a week. She exhorted me to write to her continually, and actually threatened to come down to Bangalore in order to see with her own eyes how I was getting on.
In the midst of our leave-taking talk and Mrs. Lakin's last instructions, Zora's big motor glided into the compound. My boxes were placed upon the roof--a tiffin basket also--and Zora herself accompanied me down to Wadi, closely veiled. She gave me much sweet sympathy and many wise injunctions, saw me into a comfortable carriage in the Madras mail, and behold me launched into a new world!
Before my departure I had written to Mrs. Soames, Mrs. Mills, and other friends, bidding them farewell, thanking them for all their kindness. To poor Mrs. Lakin I deputed the heavy and thankless task of explaining my flight. In answer to numerous inquiries she assured her questioners that I had insisted on leaving, in spite of all that she could urge or do, but the truth was, I could not endure to remain in Secunderabad. I had been very mysterious about my destination and address; my desire was, if possible, to be absolutely forgotten. For all these stories may my good kind friend be absolved.
It was naturally assumed that I had taken flight to England, until Mrs. Potter announced in the _morghi khana_ that I had been seen on the road to Wadi in Balthasar's great grey motor with luggage on the top, _and not alone_. Moreover, it was an incriminating coincidence that Balthasar himself had disappeared from Chudderghat on the very same day!