Part 27 (1/2)

She made a small but vehement gesture in his arms. ”I hate India!” she said. ”She dominates you like--like--”

”Like what?” he said.

She hid her face from him. ”Like a horrible mistress,” she whispered.

”Stella!” he said.

She throbbed in his hold. ”I had to say it. Are you angry with me?”

”No,” he said.

”But you don't like me for it all the same.” Her voice came m.u.f.fled from his shoulder. ”You don't realize--very likely you never will--how near the truth it is.”

He was silent, but in the silence his hold tightened upon her till it was almost a grip.

She turned her face up again at last. ”I told you it was madness to marry me,” she said tremulously. ”I told you you would repent.”

He looked at her with a strange smile. ”And I told you it was--Kismet,”

he said. ”You did it because it was written that you should. For better for worse--” his voice vibrated--”you and I are bound by the same Fate.

It was inevitable, and there can be no repentance, just as there can be no turning back. But you needn't hate India on that account. I have told you that I will give her up for your sake, and that stands. But I will not give you up for India--or for any other power on earth. Now are you satisfied?”

Her face quivered at the question. ”It is--more than I deserve,” she said. ”You shall give up nothing for me.”

He put his hand upon her forehead. ”Stella, will you give her a trial?

Give her a year! Possibly by that time I may tell you more than I am able to tell you now. I don't know if you would welcome it, but there are always a chosen few to whom success comes. I may be one of the few.

I have a strong belief in my own particular star. Again I may fail. If I fail, I swear I will give her up. I will start again at some new job.

But will you be patient for a year? Will you, my darling, let me prove myself? I only ask--one year.”

Her eyes were full of tears. ”Everard! You make me feel--ashamed,” she said. ”I won't--won't--be a drag on you, spoil your career! You must forgive me for being jealous. It is because I love you so. But I know it is a selfish form of love, and I won't give way to it. I will never separate you from the career you have chosen. I only wish I could be a help to you.”

”You can only help me by being patient--just at present,” he said.

”And not asking tiresome questions!” She smiled at him though her tears had overflowed. ”But oh, you won't take risks, will you? Not unnecessary risks? It is so terrible to think of you in danger--to think--to think of that horrible deformed creature who sent--Ralph--” She broke off shuddering and clinging to him. It was the first time she had ever spoken of her first husband by name to him.

He dried the tears upon her cheeks. ”My own girl, you needn't be afraid,” he said, and though his words were kind she wondered at the grimness of his voice. ”I am not the sort of person to be disposed of in that way. Shall we talk of something less agitating? I can't have you crying on our wedding-night.”

His tone was repressive. She was conscious of a chill. Yet it was a relief to turn from the subject, for she recognized that there was small satisfaction to be derived therefrom. The sun was setting moreover, and it was growing cold. She let him lead her back into the bungalow, and they presently sat down at the table that Peter had prepared with so much solicitude.

Later they lingered for awhile on the verandah, watching the blazing stars, till it came to Monck that his bride was nearly dropping with weariness and then he would not suffer her to remain any longer.

When she had gone within, he lit a pipe and wandered out alone into the starlight, following the deserted road that led to the Rajah's summer palace.

He paced along slowly with bent head, deep in thought. At the great marble gateway that led into the palace-garden he paused and stood for a s.p.a.ce in frowning contemplation. A small wind had sprung up and moaned among the cypress-trees that overlooked the high wall. He seemed to be listening to it. Or was it to the hoot of an owl that came up from the valley?

Finally he drew near and deliberately tapped the ashes from his half-smoked pipe upon the s.h.i.+ning marble. The embers smouldered and went out. A black stain remained upon the dazzling white surface of the stone column. He looked at it for a moment or two, then turned and retraced his steps with grim precision.