Clovelly was silent. He occasionally adjusted his glasses, and looked at
Mrs. Falchion as if he had suddenly come to a full stop in his opinions
regarding her. This, I think, was noticed by her, and enjoyed too, for
she doubtless remembered her conversation with me, in which she had said
that Clovelly thought he understood her perfectly. Colonel Ryder, who
was loyal at all times, said she had the nerve of a woman from Kentucky.
Moreover, he had presence of mind, for he had immediately sent off a
native to inform the authorities of what had occurred; so that before
we had got half-way to the town we were met by policemen running towards
us, followed by a small detachment of Indian soldiers. The officer in
command of the detachment stopped us, and said that the governor would
be glad if we would come to Government House for an hour, while an
inquiry was being held.
To this we cheerfully consented, of course; and, in a room where punkahs
waved and cool claret-cup awaited us, we were received by the governor,
who was full of admiration of Mrs. Falchion. It was plain, however, that
he was surprised at her present equanimity. Had she no nerves at all?
“I can only regret exceedingly,” said the governor, “that your visit to
Aden has had such a tragical interruption; but since it has occurred,
I am glad to have the privilege of meeting a lady so brave as Mrs.
Falchion.”--The bookmaker had introduced us all with a naivete that, I
am sure, amused the governor, as it certainly did his aide-de-camp. “We
should not need to fear the natives if we had soldiers as fearless,” his
excellency continued.
At this point the inquiry began, and, after it was over, the governor
said that there the matter ended so far as we were concerned, and then
he remarked gallantly that the Government of Aden would always remain
Mrs. Falchion’s debtor. She replied that it was a debt she would be
glad to preserve unsettled for ever. After this pretty exchange of
compliments, the governor smiled, and offered her his arm to the door,
where our ‘char a bans’ awaited us.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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