"Water--no!" he rejoined with unexpected decision; "But come along and have a cup of tea. I ought to have thought of it before; you must be choked with dust. I've got out of the way of--of----" The remainder of the sentence was inaudible, as he opened the door into a lofty, white-washed room, where several men were lounging at a long refreshment bar. Verona received an impression of quantities of bananas and buns; swarms of flies and staring faces. As she stood sipping some hot weak tea, from a very thick cup, a dapper little man, with a shiny face and prominent blue eyes, approached and accosted her father in an off-hand manner. "Hullo, Chandos! I've never seen you here before. What has brought you out of your shell?" he asked with an air of lofty condescension. Mr. Chandos looked momentarily embarrassed, and then replied, rather formally: "How do you do, Major Gale. I came to meet my daughter." "_Your_ daughter!" and in the echo there was a note of incredulity, bordering on derision, but the little officer accepted the half introduction and bowed profoundly as he said: "Charmed to make her acquaintance." Verona resented his air of free and easy patronage, and met the stranger's full, bold gaze, with a pair of cold, unchanging eyes. There was a chilling pause, during which the little officer quickly summed up the new "Spin"; her grand manner, dainty linen costume, expensive travelling case and ruffled wrap. As the result of this inspection he turned abruptly to Mr. Chandos and exclaimed: "I say! I'd no idea you'd been married before!" Whatever reply was forthcoming it proved unintelligible, for Mr. Chandos was searching and fumbling in his pockets, and there was a hint of colour in his worn face as he turned to the waiter and said: "I've no money with me. I'll settle with you next time I'm in--you know who I am!" "How much is it? I'll make it all right," volunteered Major Gale. "One rupee, Saar," said the turbanned kritmetgar. Here Verona interposed, authoritatively: "Thank you very much; I will pay for my tea," and promptly produced the necessary coin. "No one carries money in India," explained Major Gale; "we all go on tick or borrow, as you'll soon find out. Just arrived?" "Yes," assented the lady. The "yes" was like a hailstone. "From England?" "Yes." Another hailstone. "I'm afraid you'll find Manora a bit slow! Eh? We are having our sports on the twentieth. I hope you all come in. Eh----?" Verona set down her cup and glanced interrogatively at her father. She was anxious to depart. "Oh, no use asking _him_," resumed the other, with a jocular air. "He buries himself alive. Lots of people don't know of his existence; awful mistake to cut the Service and take to sugar--eh, Chandos?" "It suits me all right," he answered in a quick, troubled voice. Then as an afterthought: "I will give your invitation to my wife, thank you. Now, Verona, if you are ready?"