"Yes, sure, and now to business. I'll get Arkwright to sell the stable, Cursetjee is to take the auction. I know you've made an inventory, and that thanks to you we have no small bills. If you happen to have any money, you might give it to Michael to run the house, as I shall always have a fellow here on duty. I understand that they will do their best to assemble a court martial soon, but a general court martial with a brigadier as president takes time--at the earliest it will be three weeks."
"How dreadful!" I exclaimed. "What ages to wait in suspense. Do you suppose you will be what is called--cashiered?"
"I have a hundred rupees I will give to Michael, for which he will account to you. I suppose I shall be allowed to come and see you?"
"Yes," he replied, "and you had better come after dark."
"Well, whatever happens, Ronnie, remember that _I_ shall stick to you through thick and thin."
"Then if you do, you will be an awful fool! I shall only drag you down. When this business is over, I'll go to the colonies or South America, and you must return home and marry Falkland."
At this moment the ayah pulled back the curtain. She had a chit in her hand.
"For missie," she said, coming forward. I opened the note; it was from Mrs. Lakin, and ran:
"DEAR GIRL,--I have heard of your great trouble, and am so sorry for you both. You must come to me to-day. I shall fetch you about three o'clock, and bring a cart for your luggage. Down here at Begumpett we are out of the world, and you can just be as quiet as you please. There are only my husband and myself. We are, as you know, neither young nor smart, only dull and old-fashioned, but we'll do our best to take care of you and will look upon you as one of our own girls.--Yours in affectionate sympathy,
"That's the place for you!" said Ronnie, who had been reading the note over my shoulder, "she's a rare good sort, and you'll be out of the way of prying eyes and the talk. Lord! _how_ people will talk! Old Mother Lakin is one of the best. You can get her to bring you up and see me of an evening. And now I must go back to Carr; he is bound to be starving for his breakfast. He or another officer will have this room, so tell your old ayah to hurry up and pack. Well, Eva," and his voice shook, as he put his hand suddenly on my shoulder and looked me straight in the face, "I must say this is beastly hard on _you_." Then he kissed me with burning hot lips, and swung back into the sitting-room.