Look，youhavecastoutLove！WhatGodsaretheseYoubidmeplease?
　　TheThreeinOne，theOneinThree?Notso！
　　TomyownGodsIgo。
　　ItmaybetheyshallgivemegreatereaseThanyourcoldChristandtangledTrinities。
　　TheConvert。
　　ShewasthedaughterofSonoo，aHill-man，andJadehhiswife。Oneyeartheirmaizefailed，andtwobearsspentthenightintheironlypoppy-fieldjustabovetheSutlejValleyontheKotgarthside；
　　so，nextseason，theyturnedChristian，andbroughttheirbabytotheMissiontobebaptized。TheKotgarthChaplainchristenedherElizabeth，and“Lispeth“istheHillorpaharipronunciation。
　　Later，choleracameintotheKotgarthValleyandcarriedoffSonooandJadeh，andLispethbecamehalf-servant，half-companiontothewifeofthethenChaplainofKotgarth。ThiswasafterthereignoftheMoravianmissionaries，butbeforeKotgarthhadquiteforgottenhertitleof“MistressoftheNorthernHills。”
　　WhetherChristianityimprovedLispeth，orwhetherthegodsofherownpeoplewouldhavedoneasmuchforherunderanycircumstances，Idonotknow；butshegrewverylovely。WhenaHillgirlgrowslovely，sheisworthtravelingfiftymilesoverbadgroundtolookupon。LispethhadaGreekface——oneofthosefacespeoplepaintsooften，andseesoseldom。Shewasofapale，ivorycolorand，forherrace，extremelytall。Also，shepossessedeyesthatwerewonderful；and，hadshenotbeendressedintheabominableprint-
　　clothsaffectedbyMissions，youwould，meetingheronthehill-
　　sideunexpectedly，havethoughthertheoriginalDianaoftheRomansgoingouttoslay。
　　LispethtooktoChristianityreadily，anddidnotabandonitwhenshereachedwomanhood，asdosomeHillgirls。Herownpeoplehatedherbecauseshehad，theysaid，becomeamemsahibandwashedherselfdaily；andtheChaplain'swifedidnotknowwhattodowithher。Somehow，onecannotaskastatelygoddess，fivefootteninhershoes，tocleanplatesanddishes。SosheplayedwiththeChaplain'schildrenandtookclassesintheSundaySchool，andreadallthebooksinthehouse，andgrewmoreandmorebeautiful，likethePrincessesinfairytales。TheChaplain'swifesaidthatthegirloughttotakeserviceinSimlaasanurseorsomething“genteel。”ButLispethdidnotwanttotakeservice。Shewasveryhappywhereshewas。
　　Whentravellers——therewerenotmanyinthoseyears——cametoKotgarth，LispethusedtolockherselfintoherownroomforfeartheymighttakeherawaytoSimla，orsomewhereoutintotheunknownworld。
　　Oneday，afewmonthsaftershewasseventeenyearsold，Lispethwentoutforawalk。ShedidnotwalkinthemannerofEnglishladies——amileandahalfout，andaridebackagain。Shecoveredbetweentwentyandthirtymilesinherlittleconstitutionals，allaboutandabout，betweenKotgarthandNarkunda。Thistimeshecamebackatfulldusk，steppingdownthebreakneckdescentintoKotgarthwithsomethingheavyinherarms。TheChaplain'swifewasdozinginthedrawing-roomwhenLispethcameinbreathinghardandveryexhaustedwithherburden。Lispethputitdownonthesofa，andsaidsimply:
　　“Thisismyhusband。IfoundhimontheBagiRoad。Hehashurthimself。Wewillnursehim，andwhenheiswell，yourhusbandshallmarryhimtome。”
　　ThiswasthefirstmentionLispethhadevermadeofhermatrimonialviews，andtheChaplain'swifeshriekedwithhorror。However，themanonthesofaneededattentionfirst。HewasayoungEnglishman，andhisheadhadbeencuttothebonebysomethingjagged。Lispethsaidshehadfoundhimdownthekhud，soshehadbroughthimin。
　　Hewasbreathingqueerlyandwasunconscious。
　　HewasputtobedandtendedbytheChaplain，whoknewsomethingofmedicine；andLispethwaitedoutsidethedoorincaseshecouldbeuseful。SheexplainedtotheChaplainthatthiswasthemanshemeanttomarry；andtheChaplainandhiswifelecturedherseverelyontheimproprietyofherconduct。Lispethlistenedquietly，andrepeatedherfirstproposition。IttakesagreatdealofChristianitytowipeoutuncivilizedEasterninstincts，suchasfallinginloveatfirstsight。Lispeth，havingfoundthemansheworshipped，didnotseewhysheshouldkeepsilentastoherchoice。Shehadnointentionofbeingsentaway，either。ShewasgoingtonursethatEnglishmanuntilhewaswellenoughtomarryher。Thiswasherlittleprogramme。
　　Afterafortnightofslightfeverandinflammation，theEnglishmanrecoveredcoherenceandthankedtheChaplainandhiswife，andLispeth——especiallyLispeth——fortheirkindness。HewasatravellerintheEast，hesaid——theynevertalkedabout“globe-
　　trotters“inthosedays，whentheP。&O。fleetwasyoungandsmall——andhadcomefromDehraDuntohuntforplantsandbutterfliesamongtheSimlahills。NooneatSimla，therefore，knewanythingabouthim。Hefanciedhemusthavefallenoverthecliffwhilestalkingafernonarottentree-trunk，andthathiscooliesmusthavestolenhisbaggageandfled。HethoughthewouldgobacktoSimlawhenhewasalittlestronger。Hedesirednomoremountaineering。
　　Hemadesmallhastetogoaway，andrecoveredhisstrengthslowly。
　　LispethobjectedtobeingadvisedeitherbytheChaplainorhiswife；sothelatterspoketotheEnglishman，andtoldhimhowmattersstoodinLispeth'sheart。Helaughedagooddeal，andsaiditwasveryprettyandromantic，aperfectidyloftheHimalayas；
　　but，ashewasengagedtoagirlatHome，hefanciedthatnothingwouldhappen。Certainlyhewouldbehavewithdiscretion。Hedidthat。StillhefounditverypleasanttotalktoLispeth，andwalkwithLispeth，andsaynicethingstoher，andcallherpetnameswhilehewasgettingstrongenoughtogoaway。Itmeantnothingatalltohim，andeverythingintheworldtoLispeth。Shewasveryhappywhilethefortnightlasted，becauseshehadfoundamantolove。
　　Beingasavagebybirth，shetooknotroubletohideherfeelings，andtheEnglishmanwasamused。Whenhewentaway，Lispethwalkedwithhim，uptheHillasfarasNarkunda，verytroubledandverymiserable。TheChaplain'swife，beingagoodChristiananddislikinganythingintheshapeoffussorscandal——Lispethwasbeyondhermanagemententirely——hadtoldtheEnglishmantotellLispeththathewascomingbacktomarryher。“Sheisbutachild，youknow，and，Ifear，atheartaheathen，“saidtheChaplain'swife。SoallthetwelvemilesupthehilltheEnglishman，withhisarmaroundLispeth'swaist，wasassuringthegirlthathewouldcomebackandmarryher；andLispethmadehimpromiseoverandoveragain。SheweptontheNarkundaRidgetillhehadpassedoutofsightalongtheMuttianipath。
　　ThenshedriedhertearsandwentintoKotgarthagain，andsaidtotheChaplain'swife:“Hewillcomebackandmarryme。Hehasgonetohisownpeopletotellthemso。”AndtheChaplain'swifesoothedLispethandsaid:“Hewillcomeback。”Attheendoftwomonths，Lispethgrewimpatient，andwastoldthattheEnglishmanhadgoneovertheseastoEngland。SheknewwhereEnglandwas，becauseshehadreadlittlegeographyprimers；but，ofcourse，shehadnoconceptionofthenatureofthesea，beingaHillgirl。
　　Therewasanoldpuzzle-mapoftheWorldintheHouse。Lispethhadplayedwithitwhenshewasachild。Sheuneartheditagain，andputittogetherofevenings，andcriedtoherself，andtriedtoimaginewhereherEnglishmanwas。Asshehadnoideasofdistanceorsteamboats，hernotionsweresomewhaterroneous。Itwouldnothavemadetheleastdifferencehadshebeenperfectlycorrect；fortheEnglishmanhadnointentionofcomingbacktomarryaHillgirl。Heforgotallaboutherbythetimehewasbutterfly-huntinginAssam。HewroteabookontheEastafterwards。Lispeth'snamedidnotappear。
　　Attheendofthreemonths，LispethmadedailypilgrimagetoNarkundatoseeifherEnglishmanwascomingalongtheroad。Itgavehercomfort，andtheChaplain'swife，findingherhappier，thoughtthatshewasgettingoverher“barbarousandmostindelicatefolly。”AlittlelaterthewalksceasedtohelpLispethandhertempergrewverybad。TheChaplain'swifethoughtthisaprofitabletimetoletherknowtherealstateofaffairs——thattheEnglishmanhadonlypromisedhislovetokeepherquiet——thathehadnevermeantanything，andthatitwas“wrongandimproper“ofLispethtothinkofmarriagewithanEnglishman，whowasofasuperiorclay，besidesbeingpromisedinmarriagetoagirlofhisownpeople。Lispethsaidthatallthiswasclearlyimpossible，becausehehadsaidhelovedher，andtheChaplain'swifehad，withherownlips，assertedthattheEnglishmanwascomingback。
　　“Howcanwhatheandyousaidbeuntrue?“askedLispeth。
　　“Wesaiditasanexcusetokeepyouquiet，child，“saidtheChaplain'swife。
　　“Thenyouhaveliedtome，“saidLispeth，“youandhe?“
　　TheChaplain'swifebowedherhead，andsaidnothing。Lispethwassilent，tooforalittletime；thenshewentoutdownthevalley，andreturnedinthedressofaHillgirl——infamouslydirty，butwithoutthenoseandearrings。Shehadherhairbraidedintothelongpig-tail，helpedoutwithblackthread，thatHillwomenwear。
　　“Iamgoingbacktomyownpeople，“saidshe。“YouhavekilledLispeth。ThereisonlyleftoldJadeh'sdaughter——thedaughterofapahariandtheservantofTarkaDevi。Youareallliars，youEnglish。”
　　BythetimethattheChaplain'swifehadrecoveredfromtheshockoftheannouncementthatLispethhad'vertedtohermother'sgods，thegirlhadgone；andshenevercameback。
　　Shetooktoherownuncleanpeoplesavagely，asiftomakeupthearrearsofthelifeshehadsteppedoutof；and，inalittletime，shemarriedawood-cutterwhobeather，afterthemannerofpaharis，andherbeautyfadedsoon。
　　“Thereisnolawwherebyyoucanaccountforthevagariesoftheheathen，“saidtheChaplain'swife，“andIbelievethatLispethwasalwaysatheartaninfidel。”SeeingshehadbeentakenintotheChurchofEnglandatthematureageoffiveweeks，thisstatementdoesnotdocredittotheChaplain'swife。
　　Lispethwasaveryoldwomanwhenshedied。ShealwayshadaperfectcommandofEnglish，andwhenshewassufficientlydrunk，couldsometimesbeinducedtotellthestoryofherfirstlove-
　　affair。
　　Itwashardthentorealizethatthebleared，wrinkledcreature，solikeawispofcharredrag，couldeverhavebeen“LispethoftheKotgarthMission。”
　　THREEAND——ANEXTRA。
　　“Whenhalterandheelropesareslipped，donotgivechasewithsticksbutwithgram。”
　　PunjabiProverb。
　　Aftermarriagearrivesareaction，sometimesabig，sometimesalittleone；butitcomessoonerorlater，andmustbetidedoverbybothpartiesiftheydesiretherestoftheirlivestogowiththecurrent。
　　InthecaseoftheCusack-Bremmilsthisreactiondidnotsetintillthethirdyearafterthewedding。Bremmilwashardtoholdatthebestoftimes；buthewasabeautifulhusbanduntilthebabydiedandMrs。Bremmilworeblack，andgrewthin，andmournedasifthebottomoftheuniversehadfallenout。PerhapsBremmiloughttohavecomfortedher。Hetriedtodoso，Ithink；butthemorehecomfortedthemoreMrs。Bremmilgrieved，and，consequently，themoreuncomfortableBremmilgrew。Thefactwasthattheybothneededatonic。Andtheygotit。Mrs。Bremmilcanaffordtolaughnow，butitwasnolaughingmattertoheratthetime。
　　Yousee，Mrs。Hauksbeeappearedonthehorizon；andwheresheexistedwasfairchanceoftrouble。AtSimlaherbye-namewasthe“StormyPetrel。”Shehadwonthattitlefivetimestomyowncertainknowledge。Shewasalittle，brown，thin，almostskinny，woman，withbig，rolling，violet-blueeyes，andthesweetestmannersintheworld。Youhadonlytomentionhernameatafternoonteasforeverywomanintheroomtoriseup，andcallher——well——NOTblessed。Shewasclever，witty，brilliant，andsparklingbeyondmostofherkind；butpossessedofmanydevilsofmaliceandmischievousness。Shecouldbenice，though，eventoherownsex。Butthatisanotherstory。
　　Bremmilwentoffatscoreafterthebaby'sdeathandthegeneraldiscomfortthatfollowed，andMrs。Hauksbeeannexedhim。Shetooknopleasureinhidinghercaptives。Sheannexedhimpublicly，andsawthatthepublicsawit。Herodewithher，andwalkedwithher，andtalkedwithher，andpicnickedwithher，andtiffinedatPeliti'swithher，tillpeopleputuptheireyebrowsandsaid:
　　“Shocking！“Mrs。Bremmilstayedathometurningoverthedeadbaby'sfrocksandcryingintotheemptycradle。Shedidnotcaretodoanythingelse。Butsomeeightdear，affectionatelady-
　　friendsexplainedthesituationatlengthtoherincasesheshouldmissthecreamofit。Mrs。Bremmillistenedquietly，andthankedthemfortheirgoodoffices。ShewasnotascleverasMrs。
　　Hauksbee，butshewasnofool。Shekeptherowncounsel，anddidnotspeaktoBremmilofwhatshehadheard。Thisisworthremembering。Speakingto，orcryingover，ahusbandneverdidanygoodyet。
　　WhenBremmilwasathome，whichwasnotoften，hewasmoreaffectionatethanusual；andthatshowedhishand。TheaffectionwasforcedpartlytosoothehisownconscienceandpartlytosootheMrs。Bremmil。Itfailedinbothregards。
　　Then“theA-D-C。inWaitingwascommandedbyTheirExcellencies，LordandLadyLytton，toinviteMr。andMrs。Cusack-BremmiltoPeterhoffonJuly26that9。30P。M。”——“Dancing“inthebottom-
　　left-handcorner。
　　“Ican'tgo，“saidMrs。Bremmil，“itistoosoonafterpoorlittleFlorrie……butitneednotstopyou，Tom。”
　　Shemeantwhatshesaidthen，andBremmilsaidthathewouldgojusttoputinanappearance。Herehespokethethingwhichwasnot；andMrs。Bremmilknewit。Sheguessed——awoman'sguessismuchmoreaccuratethanaman'scertainty——thathehadmeanttogofromthefirst，andwithMrs。Hauksbee。Shesatdowntothink，andtheoutcomeofherthoughtswasthatthememoryofadeadchildwasworthconsiderablylessthantheaffectionsofalivinghusband。
　　Shemadeherplanandstakedheralluponit。InthathourshediscoveredthatsheknewTomBremmilthoroughly，andthisknowledgesheactedon。
　　“Tom，“saidshe，“IshallbediningoutattheLongmores'ontheeveningofthe26th。You'dbetterdineattheclub。”
　　ThissavedBremmilfrommakinganexcusetogetawayanddinewithMrs。Hauksbee，sohewasgrateful，andfeltsmallandmeanatthesametime——whichwaswholesome。Bremmilleftthehouseatfiveforaride。Abouthalf-pastfiveintheeveningalargeleather-
　　coveredbasketcameinfromPhelps'forMrs。Bremmil。Shewasawomanwhoknewhowtodress；andshehadnotspentaweekondesigningthatdressandhavingitgored，andhemmed，andherring-
　　boned，andtuckedandruckedorwhateverthetermsarefornothing。Itwasagorgeousdress——slightmourning。Ican'tdescribeit，butitwaswhatTheQueencalls“acreation“——athingthathityoustraightbetweentheeyesandmadeyougasp。Shehadnotmuchheartforwhatshewasgoingtodo；butassheglancedatthelongmirrorshehadthesatisfactionofknowingthatshehadneverlookedsowellinherlife。Shewasalargeblondeand，whenshechose，carriedherselfsuperbly。
　　AfterthedinnerattheLongmores，shewentontothedance——alittlelate——andencounteredBremmilwithMrs。Hauksbeeonhisarm。
　　Thatmadeherflush，andasthemencrowdedroundherfordancesshelookedmagnificent。Shefilledupallherdancesexceptthree，andthosesheleftblank。Mrs。Hauksbeecaughthereyeonce；andsheknewitwaswar——realwar——betweenthem。Shestartedhandicappedinthestruggle，forshehadorderedBremmilaboutjusttheleastlittlebitintheworldtoomuch；andhewasbeginningtoresentit。Moreover，hehadneverseenhiswifelooksolovely。
　　Hestaredatherfromdoorways，andglaredatherfrompassagesasshewentaboutwithherpartners；andthemorehestared，themoretakenwashe。Hecouldscarcelybelievethatthiswasthewomanwiththeredeyesandtheblackstuffgownwhousedtoweepovertheeggsatbreakfast。
　　Mrs。Hauksbeedidherbesttoholdhiminplay，but，aftertwodances，hecrossedovertohiswifeandaskedforadance。
　　“I'mafraidyou'vecometoolate，MISTERBremmil，“shesaid，withhereyestwinkling。
　　Thenhebeggedhertogivehimadance，and，asagreatfavor，sheallowedhimthefifthwaltz。Luckily5stoodvacantonhisprogramme。Theydancedittogether，andtherewasalittleflutterroundtheroom。Bremmilhadasortofnotionthathiswifecoulddance，butheneverknewshedancedsodivinely。Attheendofthatwaltzheaskedforanother——asafavor，notasaright；andMrs。Bremmilsaid:“Showmeyourprogramme，dear！“Heshoweditasanaughtylittleschoolboyhandsupcontrabandsweetstoamaster。
　　Therewasafairsprinklingof“H“onitbesides“H“atsupper。
　　Mrs。Bremmilsaidnothing，butshesmiledcontemptuously，ranherpencilthrough7and9——two“H's“——andreturnedthecardwithherownnamewrittenabove——apetnamethatonlysheandherhusbandused。Thensheshookherfingerathim，andsaid，laughing:“Oh，yousilly，SILLYboy！“
　　Mrs。Hauksbeeheardthat，and——sheownedasmuch——feltthatshehadtheworstofit。Bremmilaccepted7and9gratefully。Theydanced7，andsatout9inoneofthelittletents。WhatBremmilsaidandwhatMrs。Bremmilsaidisnoconcernofanyone's。
　　Whenthebandstruckup“TheRoastBeefofOldEngland，“thetwowentoutintotheverandah，andBremmilbeganlookingforhiswife'sdandythiswasbefore'rickshawdayswhileshewentintothecloak-room。Mrs。Hauksbeecameupandsaid:“Youtakemeintosupper，Ithink，Mr。Bremmil。”Bremmilturnedredandlookedfoolish。“Ah——h'm！I'mgoinghomewithmywife，Mrs。Hauksbee。I
　　thinktherehasbeenalittlemistake。”Beingaman，hespokeasthoughMrs。Hauksbeewereentirelyresponsible。
　　Mrs。Bremmilcameoutofthecloak-roominaswansdowncloakwithawhite“cloud“roundherhead。Shelookedradiant；andshehadarightto。
　　Thecouplewentoffinthedarknesstogether，Bremmilridingveryclosetothedandy。
　　ThensaysMrs。Hauksbeetome——shelookedatriflefadedandjadedinthelamplight:“Takemywordforit，thesilliestwomancanmanageacleverman；butitneedsaverycleverwomantomanageafool。”
　　Thenwewentintosupper。
　　THROWNAWAY。
　　“Andsomearesulky，whilesomewillplunge[Soho！Steady！Standstill，you！]
　　Someyoumustgentle，andsomeyoumustlunge。
　　[There！There！Whowantstokillyou?]
　　Some——therearelossesineverytrade——
　　Willbreaktheirheartserebittedandmade，Willfightlikefiendsastheropecutshard，Anddiedumb-madinthebreaking-yard。”
　　ToolungalaStockyardChorus。
　　Torearaboyunderwhatparentscallthe“shelteredlifesystem“
　　is，iftheboymustgointotheworldandfendforhimself，notwise。Unlesshebeoneinathousandhehascertainlytopassthroughmanyunnecessarytroubles；andmay，possibly，cometoextremegriefsimplyfromignoranceoftheproperproportionsofthings。
　　Letapuppyeatthesoapinthebath-roomorchewanewly-blackedboot。Hechewsandchucklesuntil，byandby，hefindsoutthatblackingandOldBrownWindsormakehimverysick；sohearguesthatsoapandbootsarenotwholesome。Anyolddogaboutthehousewillsoonshowhimtheunwisdomofbitingbigdogs'ears。Beingyoung，heremembersandgoesabroad，atsixmonths，awell-manneredlittlebeastwithachastenedappetite。Ifhehadbeenkeptawayfromboots，andsoap，andbigdogstillhecametothetrinityfull-grownandwithdevelopedteeth，justconsiderhowfearfullysickandthrashedhewouldbe！Applythatmotiontothe“shelteredlife，“andseehowitworks。Itdoesnotsoundpretty，butitisthebetteroftwoevils。
　　TherewasaBoyoncewhohadbeenbroughtupunderthe“shelteredlife“theory；andthetheorykilledhimdead。Hestayedwithhispeopleallhisdays，fromthehourhewasborntillthehourhewentintoSandhurstnearlyatthetopofthelist。Hewasbeautifullytaughtinallthatwinsmarksbyaprivatetutor，andcarriedtheextraweightof“neverhavinggivenhisparentsanhour'sanxietyinhislife。”WhathelearntatSandhurstbeyondtheregularroutineisofnogreatconsequence。Helookedabouthim，andhefoundsoapandblacking，sotospeak，verygood。Heatealittle，andcameoutofSandhurstnotsohighashewentin。
　　Themtherewasanintervalandascenewithhispeople，whoexpectedmuchfromhim。Nextayearofliving“unspottedfromtheworld“inathird-ratedepotbattalionwhereallthejuniorswerechildren，andalltheseniorsoldwomen；andlastlyhecameouttoIndia，wherehewascutofffromthesupportofhisparents，andhadnoonetofallbackonintimeoftroubleexcepthimself。
　　NowIndiaisaplacebeyondallotherswhereonemustnottakethingstooseriously——themiddaysunalwaysexcepted。Toomuchworkandtoomuchenergykillamanjustaseffectivelyastoomuchassortedviceortoomuchdrink。FlirtationdoesnotmatterbecauseeveryoneisbeingtransferredandeitheryouorsheleavetheStation，andneverreturn。Goodworkdoesnotmatter，becauseamanisjudgedbyhisworstoutputandanothermantakesallthecreditofhisbestasarule。Badworkdoesnotmatter，becauseothermendoworse，andincompetentshangonlongerinIndiathananywhereelse。Amusementsdonotmatter，becauseyoumustrepeatthemassoonasyouhaveaccomplishedthemonce，andmostamusementsonlymeantryingtowinanotherperson'smoney。
　　Sicknessdoesnotmatter，becauseit'sallintheday'swork，andifyoudieanothermantakesoveryourplaceandyourofficeintheeighthoursbetweendeathandburial。NothingmattersexceptHomefurloughandactingallowances，andtheseonlybecausetheyarescarce。Thisisaslack，kutchacountrywhereallmenworkwithimperfectinstruments；andthewisestthingistotakenooneandnothinginearnest，buttoescapeassoonaseveryoucantosomeplacewhereamusementisamusementandareputationworththehaving。
　　ButthisBoy——thetaleisasoldastheHills——cameout，andtookallthingsseriously。Hewasprettyandwaspetted。Hetookthepettingsseriously，andfrettedoverwomennotworthsaddlingaponytocallupon。HefoundhisnewfreelifeinIndiaverygood。
　　ItDOESlookattractiveinthebeginning，fromaSubaltern'spointofview——allponies，partners，dancing，andsoon。Hetasteditasthepuppytastesthesoap。Onlyhecamelatetotheeating，withagrowingsetofteeth。Hehadnosenseofbalance——justlikethepuppy——andcouldnotunderstandwhyhewasnottreatedwiththeconsiderationhereceivedunderhisfather'sroof。Thishurthisfeelings。
　　Hequarrelledwithotherboys，and，beingsensitivetothemarrow，rememberedthesequarrels，andtheyexcitedhim。Hefoundwhist，andgymkhanas，andthingsofthatkindmeanttoamuseoneafterofficegood；buthetookthemseriouslytoo，justashetookthe“head“thatfollowedafterdrink。Helosthismoneyoverwhistandgymkhanasbecausetheywerenewtohim。
　　Hetookhislossesseriously，andwastedasmuchenergyandinterestoveratwo-goldmohurraceformaidenekka-ponieswiththeirmaneshogged，asifithadbeentheDerby。One-halfofthiscamefrominexperience——muchasthepuppysquabbleswiththecornerofthehearth-rug——andtheotherhalffromthedizzinessbredbystumblingoutofhisquietlifeintotheglareandexcitementofalivelierone。Noonetoldhimaboutthesoapandtheblackingbecauseanaveragemantakesitforgrantedthatanaveragemanisordinarilycarefulinregardtothem。ItwaspitifultowatchTheBoyknockinghimselftopieces，asanover-handledcoltfallsdownandcutshimselfwhenhegetsawayfromthegroom。
　　Thisunbridledlicenseinamusementsnotworththetroubleofbreakinglinefor，muchlessriotingover，enduredforsixmonths——
　　allthroughonecoldweather——andthenwethoughtthattheheatandtheknowledgeofhavinglosthismoneyandhealthandlamedhishorseswouldsoberTheBoydown，andhewouldstandsteady。Inninety-ninecasesoutofahundredthiswouldhavehappened。YoucanseetheprincipleworkinginanyIndianStation。ButthisparticularcasefellthroughbecauseTheBoywassensitiveandtookthingsseriously——asImayhavesaidsomeseventimesbefore。Ofcourse，wecouldn'ttellhowhisexcessesstruckhimpersonally。
　　Theywerenothingveryheart-breakingorabovetheaverage。Hemightbecrippledforlifefinancially，andwantalittlenursing。
　　Stillthememoryofhisperformanceswouldwitherawayinonehotweather，andtheshroffwouldhelphimtotideoverthemoneytroubles。Buthemusthavetakenanotherviewaltogetherandhavebelievedhimselfruinedbeyondredemption。HisColoneltalkedtohimseverelywhenthecoldweatherended。Thatmadehimmorewretchedthanever；anditwasonlyanordinary“Colonel'swigging！“
　　Whatfollowsisacuriousinstanceofthefashioninwhichwearealllinkedtogetherandmaderesponsibleforoneanother。THE
　　thingthatkickedthebeaminTheBoy'smindwasaremarkthatawomanmadewhenhewastalkingtoher。Thereisnouseinrepeatingit，foritwasonlyacruellittlesentence，rappedoutbeforethinking，thatmadehimflushtotherootsofhishair。Hekepthimselftohimselfforthreedays，andthenputinfortwodays'leavetogoshootingnearaCanalEngineer'sRestHouseaboutthirtymilesout。Hegothisleave，andthatnightatMesswasnoisierandmoreoffensivethanever。Hesaidthathewas“goingtoshootbiggame，andleftathalf-pastteno'clockinanekka。
　　Partridge——whichwastheonlythingamancouldgetneartheRestHouse——isnotbiggame；soeveryonelaughed。
　　NextmorningoneoftheMajorscameinfromshortleave，andheardthatTheBoyhadgoneouttoshoot“biggame。”TheMajorhadtakenaninterestinTheBoy，andhad，morethanonce，triedtocheckhiminthecoldweather。TheMajorputuphiseyebrowswhenheheardoftheexpeditionandwenttoTheBoy'sroom，whereherummaged。
　　PresentlyhecameoutandfoundmeleavingcardsontheMess。
　　Therewasnooneelseintheante-room。
　　Hesaid:“TheBoyhasgoneoutshooting。DOESamanshootteturwitharevolverandawriting-case?“
　　Isaid:“Nonsense，Major！“forIsawwhatwasinhismind。
　　Hesaid:“Nonsenseornonsense，I'mgoingtotheCanalnow——atonce。Idon'tfeeleasy。”
　　Thenhethoughtforaminute，andsaid:“Canyoulie?“
　　“Youknowbest，“Ianswered。“It'smyprofession。”
　　“Verywell，“saidtheMajor；“youmustcomeoutwithmenow——atonce——inanekkatotheCanaltoshootblack-buck。Goandputonshikar-kit——quick——anddriveherewithagun。”
　　TheMajorwasamasterfulman；andIknewthathewouldnotgiveordersfornothing。SoIobeyed，andonreturnfoundtheMajorpackedupinanekka——gun-casesandfoodslungbelow——allreadyforashooting-trip。
　　Hedismissedthedriveranddrovehimself。Wejoggedalongquietlywhileinthestation；butassoonaswegottothedustyroadacrosstheplains，hemadethatponyfly。Acountry-bredcandonearlyanythingatapinch。Wecoveredthethirtymilesinunderthreehours，butthepoorbrutewasnearlydead。
　　OnceIsaid:“What'stheblazinghurry，Major?“
　　Hesaid，quietly:“TheBoyhasbeenalone，byhimself，for——one，two，five——fourteenhoursnow！Itellyou，Idon'tfeeleasy。”
　　Thisuneasinessspreaditselftome，andIhelpedtobeatthepony。
　　WhenwecametotheCanalEngineer'sRestHousetheMajorcalledforTheBoy'sservant；buttherewasnoanswer。Thenwewentuptothehouse，callingforTheBoybyname；buttherewasnoanswer。
　　“Oh，he'soutshooting，“saidI。
　　JustthenIsawthroughoneofthewindowsalittlehurricane-lampburning。Thiswasatfourintheafternoon。Webothstoppeddeadintheverandah，holdingourbreathtocatcheverysound；andweheard，insidetheroom，the“brr——brr——brr“ofamultitudeofflies。TheMajorsaidnothing，buthetookoffhishelmetandweenteredverysoftly。
　　TheBoywasdeadonthecharpoyinthecentreofthebare，lime-
　　washedroom。Hehadshothisheadnearlytopieceswithhisrevolver。Thegun-caseswerestillstrapped，sowasthebedding，andonthetablelayTheBoy'swriting-casewithphotographs。Hehadgoneawaytodielikeapoisonedrat！
　　TheMajorsaidtohimselfsoftly:“PoorBoy！Poor，POORdevil！“
　　Thenheturnedawayfromthebedandsaid:“Iwantyourhelpinthisbusiness。”
　　KnowingTheBoywasdeadbyhisownhand，Isawexactlywhatthathelpwouldbe，soIpassedovertothetable，tookachair，litacheroot，andbegantogothroughthewriting-case；theMajorlookingovermyshoulderandrepeatingtohimself:“Wecametoolate！——Likearatinahole！——Poor，POORdevil！“
　　TheBoymusthavespenthalfthenightinwritingtohispeople，andtohisColonel，andtoagirlatHome；andassoonashehadfinished，musthaveshothimself，forhehadbeendeadalongtimewhenwecamein。
　　Ireadallthathehadwritten，andpassedovereachsheettotheMajorasIfinishedit。
　　Wesawfromhisaccountshowveryseriouslyhehadtakeneverything。Hewroteabout“disgracewhichhewasunabletobear“——
　　“indelibleshame“——“criminalfolly“——“wastedlife，“andsoon；
　　besidesalotofprivatethingstohisFatherandMothertoomuchtoosacredtoputintoprint。ThelettertothegirlatHomewasthemostpitifulofall；andIchokedasIreadit。TheMajormadenoattempttokeepdry-eyed。Irespectedhimforthat。Hereadandrockedhimselftoandfro，andsimplycriedlikeawomanwithoutcaringtohideit。Thelettersweresodrearyandhopelessandtouching。WeforgotallaboutTheBoy'sfollies，andonlythoughtofthepoorThingonthecharpoyandthescrawledsheetsinourhands。ItwasutterlyimpossibletoletthelettersgoHome。
　　TheywouldhavebrokenhisFather'sheartandkilledhisMotherafterkillingherbeliefinherson。
　　AtlasttheMajordriedhiseyesopenly，andsaid:“NicesortofthingtospringonanEnglishfamily！Whatshallwedo?“
　　Isaid，knowingwhattheMajorhadbroughtmebutfor:“TheBoydiedofcholera。Wewerewithhimatthetime。Wecan'tcommitourselvestohalf-measures。Comealong。”
　　ThenbeganoneofthemostgrimycomicscenesIhaveevertakenpartin——theconcoctionofabig，writtenlie，bolsteredwithevidence，tosootheTheBoy'speopleatHome。Ibegantheroughdraftofaletter，theMajorthrowinginhintshereandtherewhilehegatheredupallthestuffthatTheBoyhadwrittenandburntitinthefireplace。Itwasahot，stilleveningwhenwebegan，andthelampburnedverybadly。InduecourseIgotthedrafttomysatisfaction，settingforthhowTheBoywasthepatternofallvirtues，belovedbyhisregiment，witheverypromiseofagreatcareerbeforehim，andsoon；howwehadhelpedhimthroughthesickness——itwasnotimeforlittlelies，youwillunderstand——andhowhehaddiedwithoutpain。IchokedwhileIwasputtingdownthesethingsandthinkingofthepoorpeoplewhowouldreadthem。
　　ThenIlaughedatthegrotesquenessoftheaffair，andthelaughtermixeditselfupwiththechoke——andtheMajorsaidthatwebothwanteddrinks。
　　Iamafraidtosayhowmuchwhiskeywedrankbeforetheletterwasfinished。Ithadnottheleasteffectonus。ThenwetookoffTheBoy'swatch，locket，andrings。
　　Lastly，theMajorsaid:“Wemustsendalockofhairtoo。Awomanvaluesthat。”
　　Buttherewerereasonswhywecouldnotfindalockfittosend。
　　TheBoywasblack-haired，andsowastheMajor，luckily。IcutoffapieceoftheMajor'shairabovethetemplewithaknife，andputitintothepacketweweremaking。Thelaughing-fitandthechokesgotholdofmeagain，andIhadtostop。TheMajorwasnearlyasbad；andwebothknewthattheworstpartoftheworkwastocome。
　　Wesealedupthepacket，photographs，locket，seals，ring，letter，andlockofhairwithTheBoy'ssealing-waxandTheBoy'sseal。
　　ThentheMajorsaid:“ForGod'ssakelet'sgetoutside——awayfromtheroom——andthink！“
　　Wewentoutside，andwalkedonthebanksoftheCanalforanhour，eatinganddrinkingwhatwehadwithus，untilthemoonrose。I
　　knownowexactlyhowamurdererfeels。Finally，weforcedourselvesbacktotheroomwiththelampandtheOtherThinginit，andbegantotakeupthenextpieceofwork。Iamnotgoingtowriteaboutthis。Itwastoohorrible。WeburnedthebedsteadanddroppedtheashesintotheCanal；wetookupthemattingoftheroomandtreatedthatinthesameway。Iwentofftoavillageandborrowedtwobighoes——Ididnotwantthevillagerstohelp——whiletheMajorarranged——theothermatters。Ittookusfourhours'hardworktomakethegrave。Asweworked，wearguedoutwhetheritwasrighttosayasmuchaswerememberedoftheBurialoftheDead。
　　WecompromisedthingsbysayingtheLord'sPrayerwithaprivateunofficialprayerforthepeaceofthesoulofTheBoy。Thenwefilledinthegraveandwentintotheverandah——notthehouse——toliedowntosleep。Weweredead-tired。
　　WhenwewoketheMajorsaid，wearily:“Wecan'tgobacktillto-
　　morrow。Wemustgivehimadecenttimetodiein。HediedearlyTHISmorning，remember。Thatseemsmorenatural。”SotheMajormusthavebeenlyingawakeallthetime，thinking。
　　Isaid:“Thenwhydidn'twebringthebodybacktothecantonments?“
　　TheMajorthoughtforaminute:——“Becausethepeopleboltedwhentheyheardofthecholera。Andtheekkahasgone！“
　　Thatwasstrictlytrue。Wehadforgottenallabouttheekka-pony，andhehadgonehome。
　　So，wewerelefttherealone，allthatstiflingday，intheCanalRestHouse，testingandre-testingourstoryofTheBoy'sdeathtoseeifitwasweakatanypoint。Anativeturnedupintheafternoon，butwesaidthataSahibwasdeadofcholera，andheranaway。Astheduskgathered，theMajortoldmeallhisfearsaboutTheBoy，andawfulstoriesofsuicideornearly-carried-outsuicide——talesthatmadeone'shaircrisp。HesaidthathehimselfhadoncegoneintothesameValleyoftheShadowastheBoy，whenhewasyoungandnewtothecountry；soheunderstoodhowthingsfoughttogetherinTheBoy'spoorjumbledhead。Healsosaidthatyoungsters，intheirrepentantmoments，considertheirsinsmuchmoreseriousandineffaceablethantheyreallyare。Wetalkedtogetherallthroughtheevening，andrehearsedthestoryofthedeathofTheBoy。Assoonasthemoonwasup，andTheBoy，theoretically，justburied，westruckacrosscountryfortheStation。Wewalkedfromeighttillsixo'clockinthemorning；butthoughweweredead-tired，wedidnotforgettogotoTheBoy'sroomandputawayhisrevolverwiththeproperamountofcartridgesinthepouch。Alsotosethiswriting-caseonthetable。WefoundtheColonelandreportedthedeath，feelingmorelikemurderersthanever。Thenwewenttobedandslepttheclockround；fortherewasnomoreinus。
　　Thetalehadcredenceaslongaswasnecessary，foreveryoneforgotaboutTheBoybeforeafortnightwasover。Manypeople，however，foundtimetosaythattheMajorhadbehavedscandalouslyinnotbringinginthebodyforaregimentalfuneral。ThesaddestthingofallwasaletterfromTheBoy'smothertotheMajorandme——withbiginkyblistersalloverthesheet。Shewrotethesweetestpossiblethingsaboutourgreatkindness，andtheobligationshewouldbeundertousaslongasshelived。
　　Allthingsconsidered，sheWASunderanobligation；butnotexactlyasshemeant。
　　MISSYOUGHAL'SSAIS。
　　WhenManandWomanareagreed，whatcantheKazido?
　　MahomedanProverb。
　　SomepeoplesaythatthereisnoromanceinIndia。Thosepeoplearewrong。Ourlivesholdquiteasmuchromanceasisgoodforus。
　　Sometimesmore。
　　StricklandwasinthePolice，andpeopledidnotunderstandhim；sotheysaidhewasadoubtfulsortofmanandpassedbyontheotherside。Stricklandhadhimselftothankforthis。HeheldtheextraordinarytheorythataPolicemaninIndiashouldtrytoknowasmuchaboutthenativesasthenativesthemselves。Now，inthewholeofUpperIndia，thereisonlyONEmanwhocanpassforHinduorMohammedan，chamarorfaquir，ashepleases。HeisfearedandrespectedbythenativesfromtheGhorKathritotheJammaMusjid；
　　andheissupposedtohavethegiftofinvisibilityandexecutivecontrolovermanyDevils。ButwhatgoodhasthisdonehimwiththeGovernment?Noneintheworld。HehasnevergotSimlaforhischarge；andhisnameisalmostunknowntoEnglishmen。
　　Stricklandwasfoolishenoughtotakethatmanforhismodel；and，followingouthisabsurdtheory，dabbledinunsavoryplacesnorespectablemanwouldthinkofexploring——allamongthenativeriff-raff。Heeducatedhimselfinthispeculiarwayforsevenyears，andpeoplecouldnotappreciateit。Hewasperpetually“goingFantee“amongthenatives，which，ofcourse，nomanwithanysensebelievesin。HewasinitiatedintotheSatBhaiatAllahabadonce，whenhewasonleave；heknewtheLizard-SongoftheSansis，andtheHalli-Hukkdance，whichisareligiouscan-canofastartlingkind。WhenamanknowswhodancestheHalli-Hukk，andhow，andwhen，andwhere，heknowssomethingtobeproudof。Hehasgonedeeperthantheskin。ButStricklandwasnotproud，thoughhehadhelpedonce，atJagadhri，atthePaintingoftheDeathBull，whichnoEnglishmanmustevenlookupon；hadmasteredthethieves'-patterofthechangars；hadtakenaEusufzaihorse-
　　thiefalonenearAttock；andhadstoodunderthemimbar-boardofaBordermosqueandconductedserviceinthemannerofaSunniMollah。
　　HiscrowningachievementwasspendingelevendaysasafaquirinthegardensofBabaAtalatAmritsar，andtherepickingupthethreadsofthegreatNasibanMurderCase。Butpeoplesaid，justlyenough:“Whyonearthcan'tStricklandsitinhisofficeandwriteuphisdiary，andrecruit，andkeepquiet，insteadofshowinguptheincapacityofhisseniors?“SotheNasibanMurderCasedidhimnogooddepartmentally；but，afterhisfirstfeelingofwrath，hereturnedtohisoutlandishcustomofpryingintonativelife。Bytheway，whenamanonceacquiresatasteforthisparticularamusement，itabideswithhimallhisdays。Itisthemostfascinatingthingintheworld；Lovenotexcepted。WhereothermentooktendaystotheHills，Stricklandtookleaveforwhathecalledshikar，putonthedisguisethatappealedtohimatthetime，steppeddownintothebrowncrowd，andwasswallowedupforawhile。Hewasaquiet，darkyoungfellow——spare，black-eyes——and，whenhewasnotthinkingofsomethingelse，averyinterestingcompanion。StricklandonNativeProgressashehadseenitwasworthhearing。NativeshatedStrickland；buttheywereafraidofhim。Heknewtoomuch。
　　WhentheYoughalscameintothestation，Strickland——verygravely，ashedideverything——fellinlovewithMissYoughal；andshe，afterawhile，fellinlovewithhimbecauseshecouldnotunderstandhim。ThenStricklandtoldtheparents；butMrs。YoughalsaidshewasnotgoingtothrowherdaughterintotheworstpaidDepartmentintheEmpire，andoldYoughalsaid，insomanywords，thathemistrustedStrickland'swaysandworks，andwouldthankhimnottospeakorwritetohisdaughteranymore。“Verywell，“saidStrickland，forhedidnotwishtomakehislady-love'slifeaburden。AfteronelongtalkwithMissYoughalhedroppedthebusinessentirely。
　　TheYoughalswentuptoSimlainApril。
　　InJuly，Stricklandsecuredthreemonths'leaveon“urgentprivateaffairs。”Helockeduphishouse——thoughnotanativeintheProvidencewouldwittinglyhavetouched“EstreekinSahib's“gearfortheworld——andwentdowntoseeafriendofhis，anolddyer，atTarnTaran。
　　Herealltraceofhimwaslost，untilasaismetmeontheSimlaMallwiththisextraordinarynote:
　　“Dearoldman，Pleasegivebeareraboxofcheroots——Supers，No。I，forpreference。TheyarefreshestattheClub。I'llrepaywhenI
　　reappear；butatpresentI'moutofSociety。
　　Yours，E。STRICKLAND。”
　　Iorderedtwoboxes，andhandedthemovertothesaiswithmylove。
　　ThatsaiswasStrickland，andhewasinoldYoughal'semploy，attachedtoMissYoughal'sArab。ThepoorfellowwassufferingforanEnglishsmoke，andknewthatwhateverhappenedIshouldholdmytonguetillthebusinesswasover。
　　Lateron，Mrs。Youghal，whowaswrappedupinherservants，begantalkingathouseswhereshecalledofherparagonamongsaises——themanwhowasnevertoobusytogetupinthemorningandpickflowersforthebreakfast-table，andwhoblacked——actuallyBLACKED——
　　thehoofsofhishorselikeaLondoncoachman！TheturnoutofMissYoughal'sArabwasawonderandadelight。Strickland——
　　Dulloo，Imean——foundhisrewardintheprettythingsthatMissYoughalsaidtohimwhenshewentoutriding。HerparentswerepleasedtofindshehadforgottenallherfoolishnessforyoungStricklandandsaidshewasagoodgirl。
　　Stricklandvowsthatthetwomonthsofhisservicewerethemostrigidmentaldisciplinehehasevergonethrough。Quiteapartfromthelittlefactthatthewifeofoneofhisfellow-saisesfellinlovewithhimandthentriedtopoisonhimwitharsenicbecausehewouldhavenothingtodowithher，hehadtoschoolhimselfintokeepingquietwhenMissYoughalwentoutridingwithsomemanwhotriedtoflirtwithher，andhewasforcedtotrotbehindcarryingtheblanketandhearingeveryword！Also，hehadtokeephistemperwhenhewasslangedin“Benmore“porchbyapoliceman——
　　especiallyoncewhenhewasabusedbyaNaikhehadhimselfrecruitedfromIsserJangvillage——or，worsestill，whenayoungsubalterncalledhimapigfornotmakingwayquicklyenough。
　　Butthelifehaditscompensations。Heobtainedgreatinsightintothewaysandtheftsofsaises——enough，hesays，tohavesummarilyconvictedhalfthechamarpopulationofthePunjabifhehadbeenonbusiness。Hebecameoneoftheleadingplayersatknuckle-
　　bones，whichalljhampanisandmanysaisesplaywhiletheyarewaitingoutsidetheGovernmentHouseortheGaietyTheatreofnights；helearnedtosmoketobaccothatwasthree-fourthscowdung；
　　andheheardthewisdomofthegrizzledJemadaroftheGovernmentHousesaises，whosewordsarevaluable。Hesawmanythingswhichamusedhim；andhestates，onhonor，thatnomancanappreciateSimlaproperly，tillhehasseenitfromthesais'spointofview。
　　Healsosaysthat，ifhechosetowriteallhesaw，hisheadwouldbebrokeninseveralplaces。
　　Strickland'saccountoftheagonyheenduredonwetnights，hearingthemusicandseeingthelightsin“Benmore，“withhistoestinglingforawaltzandhisheadinahorse-blanket，isratheramusing。Oneofthesedays，Stricklandisgoingtowritealittlebookonhisexperiences。Thatbookwillbeworthbuying；andevenmore，worthsuppressing。
　　Thus，heservedfaithfullyasJacobservedforRachel；andhisleavewasnearlyatanendwhentheexplosioncame。HehadreallydonehisbesttokeephistemperinthehearingoftheflirtationsIhavementioned；buthebrokedownatlast。AnoldandverydistinguishedGeneraltookMissYoughalforaride，andbeganthatspeciallyoffensive“you're-only-a-little-girl“sortofflirtation——
　　mostdifficultforawomantoturnasidedeftly，andmostmaddeningtolistento。MissYoughalwasshakingwithfearatthethingshesaidinthehearingofhersais。Dulloo——Strickland——
　　stooditaslongashecould。ThenhecaughtholdoftheGeneral'sbridle，and，inmostfluentEnglish，invitedhimtostepoffandbeheavedoverthecliff。NextminuteMissYoughalbegancrying；andStricklandsawthathehadhopelesslygivenhimselfaway，andeverythingwasover。
　　TheGeneralnearlyhadafit，whileMissYoughalwassobbingoutthestoryofthedisguiseandtheengagementthatwasn'trecognizedbytheparents。StricklandwasfuriouslyangrywithhimselfandmoreangrywiththeGeneralforforcinghishand；sohesaidnothing，butheldthehorse'sheadandpreparedtothrashtheGeneralassomesortofsatisfaction，butwhentheGeneralhadthoroughlygraspedthestory，andknewwhoStricklandwas，hebegantopuffandblowinthesaddle，andnearlyrolledoffwithlaughing。HesaidStricklanddeservedaV。C。，ifitwereonlyforputtingonasais'sblanket。Thenhecalledhimselfnames，andvowedthathedeservedathrashing，buthewastoooldtotakeitfromStrickland。ThenhecomplimentedMissYoughalonherlover。
　　Thescandalofthebusinessneverstruckhim；forhewasaniceoldman，withaweaknessforflirtations。Thenhelaughedagain，andsaidthatoldYoughalwasafool。Stricklandletgoofthecob'shead，andsuggestedthattheGeneralhadbetterhelpthem，ifthatwashisopinion。StricklandknewYoughal'sweaknessformenwithtitlesandlettersaftertheirnamesandhighofficialposition。
　　“It'sratherlikeaforty-minutefarce，“saidtheGeneral，“butbegad，IWILLhelp，ifit'sonlytoescapethattremendousthrashingIdeserved。Goalongtoyourhome，mysais-Policeman，andchangeintodecentkit，andI'llattackMr。Youghal。MissYoughal，mayIaskyoutocanterhomeandwait?……
　　Aboutsevenminuteslater，therewasawildhurrooshattheClub。
　　Asais，withablanketandhead-rope，wasaskingallthemenheknew:“ForHeaven'ssakelendmedecentclothes！“Asthemendidnotrecognizehim，thereweresomepeculiarscenesbeforeStricklandcouldgetahotbath，withsodainit，inoneroom，ashirthere，acollarthere，apairoftrouserselsewhere，andsoon。Hegallopedoff，withhalftheClubwardrobeonhisback，andanutterstranger'sponyunderhim，tothehouseofoldYoughal。
　　TheGeneral，arrayedinpurpleandfinelinen，wasbeforehim。
　　WhattheGeneralhadsaidStricklandneverknew，butYoughalreceivedStricklandwithmoderatecivility；andMrs。Youghal，touchedbythedevotionofthetransformedDulloo，wasalmostkind。
　　TheGeneralbeamed，andchuckled，andMissYoughalcamein，andalmostbeforeoldYoughalknewwherehewas，theparentalconsenthadbeenwrenchedoutandStricklandhaddepartedwithMissYoughaltotheTelegraphOfficetowireforhiskit。ThefinalembarrassmentwaswhenanutterstrangerattackedhimontheMallandaskedforthestolenpony。
　　So，intheend，StricklandandMissYoughalweremarried，onthestrictunderstandingthatStricklandshoulddrophisoldways，andsticktoDepartmentalroutine，whichpaysbestandleadstoSimla。
　　Stricklandwasfartoofondofhiswife，justthen，tobreakhisword，butitwasasoretrialtohim；forthestreetsandthebazars，andthesoundsinthem，werefullofmeaningtoStrickland，andthesecalledtohimtocomebackandtakeuphiswanderingsandhisdiscoveries。Someday，Iwilltellyouhowhebrokehispromisetohelpafriend。Thatwaslongsince，andhehas，bythistime，beennearlyspoiltforwhathewouldcallshikar。Heisforgettingtheslang，andthebeggar'scant，andthemarks，andthesigns，andthedriftoftheundercurrents，which，ifamanwouldmaster，hemustalwayscontinuetolearn。
　　ButhefillsinhisDepartmentalreturnsbeautifully。
　　YOKEDWITHANUNBELIEVER。
　　Iamdyingforyou，andyouaredyingforanother。
　　PunjabiProverb。
　　WhentheGravesendtenderlefttheP。&0。steamerforBombayandwentbacktocatchthetraintoTown，thereweremanypeopleinitcrying。Buttheonewhoweptmost，andmostopenlywasMissAgnesLaiter。Shehadreasontocry，becausetheonlymansheeverloved——orevercouldlove，soshesaid——wasgoingouttoIndia；andIndia，aseveryoneknows，isdividedequallybetweenjungle，tigers，cobras，cholera，andsepoys。
　　PhilGarron，leaningoverthesideofthesteamerintherain，feltveryunhappytoo；buthedidnotcry。Hewassentoutto“tea。”
　　What“tea“meanthehadnotthevaguestidea，butfanciedthathewouldhavetorideonaprancinghorseoverhillscoveredwithtea-
　　vines，anddrawasumptuoussalaryfordoingso；andhewasverygratefultohisuncleforgettinghimtheberth。Hewasreallygoingtoreformallhisslack，shiftlessways，savealargeproportionofhismagnificentsalaryyearly，and，inaveryshorttime，returntomarryAgnesLaiter。PhilGarronhadbeenlyinglooseonhisfriends'handsforthreeyears，and，ashehadnothingtodo，henaturallyfellinlove。Hewasverynice；buthewasnotstronginhisviewsandopinionsandprinciples，andthoughhenevercametoactualgriefhisfriendswerethankfulwhenhesaidgood-bye，andwentouttothismysterious“tea“businessnearDarjiling。Theysaid:——“Godblessyou，dearboy！Letusneverseeyourfaceagain，“——oratleastthatwaswhatPhilwasgiventounderstand。
　　Whenhesailed，hewasveryfullofagreatplantoprovehimselfseveralhundredtimesbetterthananyonehadgivenhimcreditfor——
　　toworklikeahorse，andtriumphantlymarryAgnesLaiter。Hehadmanygoodpointsbesideshisgoodlooks；hisonlyfaultbeingthathewasweak，theleastlittlebitintheworldweak。HehadasmuchnotionofeconomyastheMorningSun；andyetyoucouldnotlayyourhandonanyoneitem，andsay:“HereinPhilGarronisextravagantorreckless。”Norcouldyoupointoutanyparticularviceinhischaracter；buthewas“unsatisfactory“andasworkableasputty。
　　AgnesLaiterwentaboutherdutiesathome——herfamilyobjectedtotheengagement——withredeyes，whilePhilwassailingtoDarjiling——
　　“aportontheBengalOcean，“ashismotherusedtotellherfriends。Hewaspopularenoughonboardship，mademanyacquaintancesandamoderatelylargeliquorbill，andsentoffhugeletterstoAgnesLaiterateachport。Thenhefelltoworkonthisplantation，somewherebetweenDarjilingandKangra，and，thoughthesalaryandthehorseandtheworkwerenotquiteallhehadfancied，hesucceededfairlywell，andgavehimselfmuchunnecessarycreditforhisperseverance。
　　Inthecourseoftime，ashesettledmoreintocollar，andhisworkgrewfixedbeforehim，thefaceofAgnesLaiterwentoutofhismindandonlycamewhenhewasatleisure，whichwasnotoften。Hewouldforgetallaboutherforafortnight，andrememberherwithastart，likeaschool-boywhohasforgottentolearnhislesson。
　　ShedidnotforgetPhil，becauseshewasofthekindthatneverforgets。Only，anotherman——areallydesirableyoungman——
　　presentedhimselfbeforeMrs。Laiter；andthechanceofamarriagewithPhilwasasfaroffasever；andhislettersweresounsatisfactory；andtherewasacertainamountofdomesticpressurebroughttobearonthegirl；andtheyoungmanreallywasaneligiblepersonasincomesgo；andtheendofallthingswasthatAgnesmarriedhim，andwroteatempestuouswhirlwindofalettertoPhilinthewildsofDarjiling，andsaidsheshouldneverknowahappymomentalltherestofherlife。Whichwasatrueprophecy。
　　Philgotthatletter，andheldhimselfill-treated。Thiswastwoyearsafterhehadcomeout；butbydintofthinkingfixedlyofAgnesLaiter，andlookingatherphotograph，andpattinghimselfonthebackforbeingoneofthemostconstantloversinhistory，andwarmingtotheworkashewenton，hereallyfanciedthathehadbeenveryhardlyused。Hesatdownandwroteonefinalletter——areallypathetic“worldwithoutend，amen，“epistle；explaininghowhewouldbetruetoEternity，andthatallwomenwereverymuchalike，andhewouldhidehisbrokenheart，etc。，etc。；butif，atanyfuturetime，etc。，etc。，hecouldaffordtowait，etc。，etc。，unchangedaffections，etc。，etc。，returntoheroldlove，etc。，etc。，foreightclosely-writtenpages。Fromanartisticpointofview，itwasveryneatwork，butanordinaryPhilistine，whoknewthestateofPhil'srealfeelings——nottheonesherosetoashewentonwriting——wouldhavecalleditthethoroughlymeanandselfishworkofathoroughlymeanandselfish，weakman。Butthisverdictwouldhavebeenincorrect。Philpaidforthepostage，andfelteverywordhehadwrittenforatleasttwodaysandahalf。
　　Itwasthelastflickerbeforethelightwentout。
　　ThatlettermadeAgnesLaiterveryunhappy，andshecriedandputitawayinherdesk，andbecameMrs。SomebodyElseforthegoodofherfamily。WhichisthefirstdutyofeveryChristianmaid。
　　Philwenthisways，andthoughtnomoreofhisletter，exceptasanartistthinksofaneatlytouched-insketch。Hiswayswerenotbad，buttheywerenotaltogethergooduntiltheybroughthimacrossDunmaya，thedaughterofaRajputex-Subadar-MajorofourNativeArmy。ThegirlhadastrainofHillbloodinher，and，liketheHillwomen，wasnotapurdahnashin。WherePhilmether，orhowheheardofher，doesnotmatter。Shewasagoodgirlandhandsome，and，inherway，verycleverandshrewd；though，ofcourse，alittlehard。ItistoberememberedthatPhilwaslivingverycomfortably，denyinghimselfnosmallluxury，neverputtingbyananna，verysatisfiedwithhimselfandhisgoodintentions，wasdroppingallhisEnglishcorrespondentsonebyone，andbeginningmoreandmoretolookuponthislandashishome。Somemenfallthisway；andtheyareofnouseafterwards。Theclimatewherehewasstationedwasgood，anditreallydidnotseemtohimthattherewasanythingtogoHomefor。
　　Hedidwhatmanyplantershavedonebeforehim——thatistosay，hemadeuphismindtomarryaHillgirlandsettledown。Hewassevenandtwentythen，withalonglifebeforehim，butnospirittogothroughwithit。SohemarriedDunmayabytheformsoftheEnglishChurch，andsomefellow-planterssaidhewasafool，andsomesaidhewasawiseman。Dunmayawasathoroughlyhonestgirl，and，inspiteofherreverenceforanEnglishman，hadareasonableestimateofherhusband'sweaknesses。Shemanagedhimtenderly，andbecame，inlessthanayear，averypassableimitationofanEnglishladyindressandcarriage。[ItiscurioustothinkthataHillman，afteralifetime'seducation，isaHillmanstill；butaHillwomancaninsixmonthsmastermostofthewaysofherEnglishsisters。Therewasacooliewomanonce。Butthatisanotherstory。]Dunmayadressedbypreferenceinblackandyellow，andlookedwell。
　　MeantimetheletterlayinAgnes'sdesk，andnowandagainshewouldthinkofpoorresolutehard-workingPhilamongthecobrasandtigersofDarjiling，toilinginthevainhopethatshemightcomebacktohim。HerhusbandwasworthtenPhils，exceptthathehadrheumatismoftheheart。Threeyearsafterhewasmarried——andafterhehadtriedNiceandAlgeriaforhiscomplaint——hewenttoBombay，wherehedied，andsetAgnesfree。Beingadevoutwoman，shelookedonhisdeathandtheplaceofit，asadirectinterpositionofProvidence，andwhenshehadrecoveredfromtheshock，shetookoutandrereadPhil'sletterwiththe“etc。，etc。，“
　　andthebigdashes，andthelittledashes，andkisseditseveraltimes。NooneknewherinBombay；shehadherhusband'sincome，whichwasalargeone，andPhilwascloseathand。Itwaswrongandimproper，ofcourse，butshedecided，asheroinesdoinnovels，tofindheroldlover，toofferhimherhandandhergold，andwithhimspendtherestofherlifeinsomespotfarfromunsympatheticsouls。Shesatfortwomonths，aloneinWatson'sHotel，elaboratingthisdecision，andthepicturewasaprettyone。ThenshesetoutinsearchofPhilGarron，Assistantonateaplantationwithamorethanusuallyunpronounceablename……
　　Shefoundhim。Shespentamonthoverit，，forhisplantationwasnotintheDarjilingdistrictatall，butnearerKangra。Philwasverylittlealtered，andDunmayawasverynicetoher。
　　NowtheparticularsinandshameofthewholebusinessisthatPhil，whoreallyisnotworththinkingoftwice，wasandislovedbyDunmaya，andmorethanlovedbyAgnes，thewholeofwhoselifeheseemstohavespoilt。
　　Worstofall，Dunmayaismakingadecentmanofhim；andhewillbeultimatelysavedfromperditionthroughhertraining。
　　Whichismanifestlyunfair。
　　FALSEDAWN。
　　To-nightGodknowswhatthingshalltide，TheEarthisrackedandfaint——
　　Expectant，sleepless，open-eyed；
　　Andwe，whofromtheEarthweremade，ThrillwithourMother'spain。
　　InDurance。
　　Nomanwilleverknowtheexacttruthofthisstory；thoughwomenmaysometimeswhisperittooneanotherafteradance，whentheyareputtinguptheirhairforthenightandcomparinglistsofvictims。Aman，ofcourse，cannotassistatthesefunctions。Sothetalemustbetoldfromtheoutside——inthedark——allwrong。
　　Neverpraiseasistertoasister，inthehopeofyourcomplimentsreachingtheproperears，andsopreparingthewayforyoulateron。Sistersarewomenfirst，andsistersafterwards；andyouwillfindthatyoudoyourselfharm。
　　SaumarezknewthiswhenhemadeuphismindtoproposetotheelderMissCopleigh。Saumarezwasastrangeman，withfewmerits，sofarasmencouldsee，thoughhewaspopularwithwomen，andcarriedenoughconceittostockaViceroy'sCouncilandleavealittleoverfortheCommander-in-Chief'sStaff。HewasaCivilian。VerymanywomentookaninterestinSaumarez，perhaps，becausehismannertothemwasoffensive。Ifyouhitaponyoverthenoseattheoutsetofyouracquaintance，hemaynotloveyou，buthewilltakeadeepinterestinyourmovementseverafterwards。TheelderMissCopleighwasnice，plump，winningandpretty。Theyoungerwasnotsopretty，and，frommendisregardingthehintsetforthabove，herstylewasrepellantandunattractive。Bothgirlshad，practically，thesamefigure，andtherewasastronglikenessbetweentheminlookandvoice；thoughnoonecoulddoubtforaninstantwhichwasthenicerofthetwo。
　　Saumarezmadeuphismind，assoonastheycameintothestationfromBehar，tomarrytheelderone。Atleast，weallmadesurethathewould，whichcomestothesamething。Shewastwoandtwenty，andhewasthirty-three，withpayandallowancesofnearlyfourteenhundredrupeesamonth。Sothematch，aswearrangedit，wasineverywayagoodone。Saumarezwashisname，andsummarywashisnature，asamanoncesaid。HavingdraftedhisResolution，heformedaSelectCommitteeofOnetosituponit，andresolvedtotakehistime。Inourunpleasantslang，theCopleighgirls“huntedincouples。”Thatistosay，youcoulddonothingwithonewithouttheother。Theywereverylovingsisters；buttheirmutualaffectionwassometimesinconvenient。Saumarezheldthebalance-
　　hairtruebetweenthem，andnonebuthimselfcouldhavesaidtowhichsidehisheartinclined；thougheveryoneguessed。Herodewiththemagooddealanddancedwiththem，butheneversucceededindetachingthemfromeachotherforanylengthoftime。
　　Womensaidthatthetwogirlskepttogetherthroughdeepmistrust，eachfearingthattheotherwouldstealamarchonher。Butthathasnothingtodowithaman。Saumarezwassilentforgoodorbad，andasbusiness-likelyattentiveashecouldbe，havingdueregardtohisworkandhispolo。Beyonddoubtbothgirlswerefondofhim。
　　Asthehotweatherdrewnearer，andSaumarezmadenosign，womensaidthatyoucouldseetheirtroubleintheeyesofthegirls——
　　thattheywerelookingstrained，anxious，andirritable。Menarequiteblindinthesemattersunlesstheyhavemoreofthewomanthanthemanintheircomposition，inwhichcaseitdoesnotmatterwhattheysayorthink。ImaintainitwasthehotAprildaysthattookthecoloroutoftheCopleighgirls'cheeks。TheyshouldhavebeensenttotheHillsearly。Noone——manorwoman——feelsanangelwhenthehotweatherisapproaching。Theyoungersistergrewmorecynical——nottosayacid——inherways；andthewinningnessoftheelderworethin。Therewasmoreeffortinit。
　　NowtheStationwhereinallthesethingshappenedwas，thoughnotalittleone，offthelineofrail，andsufferedthroughwantofattention。Therewerenogardensorbandsoramusementsworthspeakingof，anditwasnearlyaday'sjourneytocomeintoLahoreforadance。Peopleweregratefulforsmallthingstointerestthem。
　　AboutthebeginningofMay，andjustbeforethefinalexodusofHill-goers，whentheweatherwasveryhotandtherewerenotmorethantwentypeopleintheStation，Saumarezgaveamoonlightriding-picnicatanoldtomb，sixmilesaway，nearthebedoftheriver。Itwasa“Noah'sArk“picnic；andtherewastobetheusualarrangementofquarter-mileintervalsbetweeneachcouple，onaccountofthedust。Sixcouplescamealtogether，includingchaperons。Moonlightpicnicsareusefuljustattheveryendoftheseason，beforeallthegirlsgoawaytotheHills。Theyleadtounderstandings，andshouldbeencouragedbychaperones；
　　especiallythosewhosegirlslooksweetishinridinghabits。I
　　knewacaseonce。Butthatisanotherstory。Thatpicnicwascalledthe“GreatPopPicnic，“becauseeveryoneknewSaumarezwouldproposethentotheeldestMissCopleigh；and，besidehisaffair，therewasanotherwhichmightpossiblycometohappiness。
　　Thesocialatmospherewasheavilychargedandwantedclearing。
　　Wemetattheparade-groundatten:thenightwasfearfullyhot。