The habit of silence was strong between these two men; and for a while it lasted unbroken. Desmond was riding his favourite pony, a spirited chestnut Arab, swift as a swallow, sensitive as a child, bearing on his forehead the white star to which he owed his name. The snaffle hung loose upon his neck, and Desmond's hand rested upon the silken shoulder as if in a mute caress. He knew what was coming, and awaited Paul's pleasure with stoical resignation. Wyndham considered the strong, straight lines of his friend's profile thoughtfully; then he spoke: "You gave us all rather a shock this morning, Theo." "I'm sorry for that. I was afraid there'd be some bother about it. But needs must--when the devil drives." "The devil that drives you is your own incurable pride," Paul answered with unusual warmth. "You know, without forcing me to put it in words, that every rupee I possess is at your service. You might have given me a chance before going such lengths as this." Desmond shook his head. The man's fastidious soul revolted from the idea of using Paul's money to pay his wife's bills. "Not in these circumstances," he said. "It wasn't pride that held me back; but a natural sense of the justice and--fitness of things. You must take that on trust, Paul." "Why, of course, my dear chap. But how about the fitness of parting with that pony just before the tournament? As captain of the team, do you think you are acting quite fairly by the Regiment?" The shot told. Among soldiers of the best sort the Regiment is apt to be a fetish, and to Desmond the lightest imputation of disregard for its welfare was intolerable. "Is that how the other fellows look at it?" he asked, a troubled note in his voice. "Well, if they do, one can hardly blame them. They naturally want to know what you mean to do about the tournament after you have let your best pony go? I take it for granted that you have some sort of plan in your head." "Yes. I am counting on you to lend me Esmeralda. It's only the 6th now; and if I train her for all I'm worth between this and the 20th, I can get her up to the scratch." Paul's answering smile was oddly compact of tenderness and humour. "So that's your notion? You'll deign to make use of me so far? Upon my soul, Theo, you deserve that I should refuse, since you won't give me the satisfaction of doing what would be far more to the purpose." Desmond looked his friend steadily in the eyes. "You'll not refuse, though," he said quietly, and Paul shook his head. By way of thanks, Theo laid his hand impulsively upon Wyndham's arm. "I'm sure you understand, dear old man, that it's not easy or pleasant for me to part with Diamond, or to shut you out and refuse your help; but I can't endure that the rest of them should think me slack or careless of their interests." "They know you far too well to think anything of the sort. By the way, what arrangements are you making for Lahore?"