A delicious, drowsy, lotus-eating life it seemed; and as Helen Perowne and Grey Stuart sat beneath the shade of one of the delicious flower-bearing trees inhaling the cloying scents, and watching the eternal sparkle of the beautiful river, they could not help comparing it with their existence at the Miss Twettenhams' school. Tropic flowers, luscious fruits were there in profusion. Every day seemed to bring those of richer and rarer kinds. The garden was lush with a profusion of choice plants such as could only be produced in the hottest houses at home; and Grey was fain to confess that in spite of the heat it was a lovely land. Just as everyone had concluded, there had not been the slightest cause for alarm, so they said. Still the alarm had been excusable, living as they were, a mere handful of strangers, amongst a people well known for their volcanic nature and quickness at taking offence, this latter being acknowledged by the Rajah himself, who completed the calm by coming in semi-state to the Residency island to ask Mr Harley to make intercession for him with the Perownes. "I am wiser now," he said, with a smile, "and I want to make amends." This was said so frankly that, however suspicious he may have felt at heart, the Resident at once accepted the task of intercessor. "I try so hard to be English in my ways," said the young man, "but it takes a long time to forget one's old customs. As I used to be, I had everything I asked for directly; I had only to say that I wanted this, or that I would have that, and I had it at once. But it is so different with you English. You always seem to be denying yourselves things you wish for, and think it great and good." "Well, we do think it a virtue," said the Resident, smiling. "I was very angry when Mr Perowne spoke to me as he did, and all my English education went away like a flash of a firefly in the night, and I was a savage once more; but when I got back and thought, then I saw that I had been mad, and I was grieved, for the English are my friends." "Ah, well," said Mr Harley, "that is all over now. I undertake to put matters right with Mr Perowne; but to be frank with you, Rajah--" "Yes, that is right, be frank. That is what I like in an Englishman, he is frank and open. A Malay lets his secret thoughts be known--never." "I say, my friend," exclaimed the Resident, laughing, "I hope that is not the case here." "Oh, no, no, no!" exclaimed Murad. "Do I not tell you I am English, and that I try to be like you." "To be sure, yes," said Mr Harley. "Well, then, look here, I do not undertake to make you such friends as you wish to be with Miss Perowne." "You know all then?" said the Rajah, quickly. "Her father told me."