He made his way to the dining-room and lit one of the candles in the candelabra which stood on the table. He went to the sideboard and poured himself out a glass of brandy and drank it eagerly. The stimulant nerved him for a little, but he began to grow impatient for his wife's return. Meanwhile Hester's brain was at work up-stairs. In a whisper she had confided to her ayah that her husband must hurry off at once because he had done something bad which had been found out. "Something veree bad," repeated the ayah, shaking her head. "Poor gentleman, what a pity it is done find out!" "When we do wrong it is always found out by God, ayah," replied Hester. "His punishment must come unless we repent and make amends. But I feel we must give him some help. I want to dress my husband in some clothes as unlike his own as possible. Where is that saree and jacket you used to wear in the cold weather. Will you sell it to me, ayah?" "Sell, missus? I giving, not selling. I go fetch this veree minute." Hester then hurried downstairs quickly, divulging the plan to her husband. "First-rate idea!" he said, springing up from his chair. "You're a genius, Hester!" "Come then," she answered, drawing his arm through hers and leading him up-stairs. The ayah stood in readiness, holding the required garments. "Awfully good of you, ayah," said Mr. Rayner almost lightly. "I'll send your saree back again, or better still, your missus will buy you a new one!" The red saree was soon deftly arranged by the ayah, but when she drew back to regard her work, she shook her head. "Ai, ai, thatt _feringhi_ white face will spoil all!" "She's right, Hester," said Rayner, fixing hopeless eyes on his wife. Hester silently went to her _almirah_, remembering a little box of colouring powders which had been given her by a visitor to the Rectory when some charades were on foot, and her brothers had to be hastily transformed into Red Indians. She had returned the box next morning, but her friend had said, "Keep it, my dear, you may find it useful yet!" She recalled the words with a sad smile. Yes, she thought, she would find it useful now to help the flight of her husband, to whom she had not been a year married, and to save him, if possible, from being convicted as a forger! She set about her work, executing it as skilfully as on that happy evening when she had won golden opinions for her clever imitation of the colouring of Red Indians. The old ayah forgot her misery, and fairly clapped her hands when she saw the result. Even Mr. Rayner, when he surveyed himself in the mirror after having the saree draped round his head, said with a relieved air: