The Presence did more than walk. In the verandah at the path's end a tall figure stood awaiting her; and before Parbutti and the orderly had collected her belongings, she was in John Meredith's arms. The remarkable likeness between the two was very apparent as they stood together thus; though the man's face was marred by ill-health, and by the distressing prominence of his eye-bones and strongly-marked jaw. He led her into the dining-room with more of lover-like than brother-like tenderness; for despite his forty years no woman had yet dethroned this beautiful sister of his from the foremost place in his heart. He set her down at the breakfast-table, himself poured out her tea, and dismissed the kitmutgar as soon as might be, Honor watching him the while with troubled solicitude in her eyes. "It's crushing, John!" she said at length. "And you do look horribly ill." "Well, my dear girl, is it likely I'd desert the regiment, and forfeit a year of your good company unless devils within were pretty imperative?" She smiled and shook her head. "But you ought to have told us about it sooner, ... me, at any rate. When did you know the decision of the Board?" "Yesterday. Desmond was with me at the time. I didn't write before that about things being uncertain, for fear the good old man should take fright and whisk you off home. And I thought that even if I couldn't square the Board, you'd find waiting out here for me the lesser evil." "Very much the lesser evil. What a barbarian people at home would think me if they knew it! And you must go, ... when?" "In four or five days; as soon as my leave is sanctioned." "And, naturally, I stay here with you till then." "Well, ... partially. But when your heavy luggage came yesterday, it seemed simpler to send it straight to the Desmonds, and that you should settle in and sleep over there. We're all sitting in one another's pockets here, and you and I can be together all day, never fear. Will that arrangement suit your Royal Highness?" "My Royal Highness is as wax in your hands," she answered, with a swift softening of face and voice. "I won't start being autocratic till I get you back again. Only--sit down at once, please. You don't look fit to stand." He obeyed with unconcealed willingness, at the same time handing her a note. "It is from Mrs Desmond. She is expecting you over there this afternoon." Honor looked mutinous. "But I want to stay with you. I shall see plenty of Evelyn later." "Still, I think we must spare her an hour to-day. The little woman's keen to see you, and I'd like Desmond to feel that we appreciate his prompt kindness. He'll be down at the Lines all the afternoon. It's our day for tent-pegging. You might ride down with Mrs Desmond, and bring me news of what my men are doing. I'm mad at not being able to be there myself." She deserted her breakfast, and knelt down beside him.