"Then be a good fairy, and turn him into a reformed prince of brothers. I'm giving you one commission--another and more important one is, to take great care of your precious self, my little sweetheart; be happy, write to me by every mail, and think of me every hour."
"I often wondered if you ever cast me a thought after I came to India. Certainly you never answered my letter."
"I cast you many thoughts," I admitted, "and often wished that we might meet. As for your letter, this is the first I have heard of it."
"It won't be the last! Your aunt shall hear of it, too. It was properly addressed to Miss Eva Lingard, Torrington Park. Well, now, time is up."
"Must you go?" I pleaded impulsively, laying a detaining hand on his arm. "Oh, we have had such a few minutes'----" I could not control my voice.
"Happiness," he supplemented. "I must have another inspection before I am off," and he took my arm and led me back into the full light of our kerosene wall lamps. "I know my mother will love you, Eva, and I want to carry away your picture in my mind, and describe you faithfully. Well, it has to come--our good-bye!"
Brian's eyes and voice expressed something I had never known before--the deep emotion of a reserved man; and his parting kiss told me all that his lips found it impossible to utter.
Then he summoned his syce and horse, and, without another word or glance, cantered out of the compound. I listened to the ring of hoofs till they grew fainter and fainter, then died away completely in the distance. Rejecting the butler's sonorous invitation: "Dinner ready on the table!" I retired into my own room in a strange, anomalous condition; rapturously happy yet desperately miserable. Presently I sat down on the side of my bed and enjoyed a thoroughly exhaustive cry.
When I whispered my news to Mrs. Soames she instantly ejaculated her usual formula:
The colonel's lady was no less delighted than surprised, and as full of excitement and importance as if the match was one of her own contrivance. She was anxious that we should make the engagement known. I saw her cast a longing glance at her writing-table, and knew that she was eager to send nice little notes to Lady Ryder, Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. Mills, but against such a proclamation I set my face, and implored her to keep the matter, at least for the present, a dead secret.