"Yes, by Jove," he said. "I must be getting back. By the way, Wyndham, did I mention to you that Sharapura is the name of the place we are going to? It's quite an interesting corner of the Empire, and declared by medical experts to be a top-hole neighbourhood for studying malaria." "Is that a recommendation?" asked Max grimly. Nick's smile was geniality itself. "It is," he answered; "a very strong recommendation." He thrust out a friendly hand. "Good-night, my son, and good luck to you!" Max's grip was hard and sustained. He looked into the grinning, humorous face, and almost in spite of himself his own mouth took a humorous twist. "So that's what you came to say, is it?" he said. "Well, good-night, you old rotter, and--thanks!" Nick mounted his horse and rode back in the moonlight, singing a tuneless but very sentimental love lyric to the stars. Part II CHAPTER I COURTSHIP "It must be great fun gettin' married," said the chief bridesmaid pensively to the best man. "Why don't you go and get married, Noel?" "I'm going to," said Noel. "Oh, are you?" with suddenly-awakened interest. "Soon?" Noel screwed up his Irish eyes and laughed. "In twelve years or thereabouts." "Oh!" A pair of wide blue eyes regarded him attentively. "Twelve years is a very long time," observed the chief bridesmaid gravely. "It is, isn't it?" said Noel, with a large sigh. "P'raps you'll be dead then," suggested the chief bridesmaid. "What a jolly idea! P'raps I shall. In that case, the marriage will not take place." She sat down on his knee, and slipped a kindly arm round his neck. "I hope you won't be dead, Noel," she said, in the careful tone of one not wishing to be taken too seriously. The best man smiled all over his merry face. "I shall do my best to survive for your sake," he said. She nodded thoughtfully. "But why aren't you goin' to get married sooner?" He surveyed her with his head on one side. "My little sweetheart is only pocket size at present," he said. "I'm waiting for her to grow up." "Oh! Is she little like me?" asked the chief bridesmaid, looking slightly disappointed. "She's just like you, sweetheart," said Noel, with cheery assurance. "She has eyes of wedgewood blue, and hair of golden down, a mouth like a rose, and the jolliest little turn-up nose in the world. And she's going to be six next birthday." This classic description was an instant revelation to the chief bridesmaid. She blushed very sweetly, with pleasure unfeigned in which shyness had no part. "Oh, Noel!" she breathed, in rapturous anticipation. "But why must we wait till we're growed up?" "We!" said Noel, who was twenty-two and a crack shot in the Regiment. She kissed him propitiatingly. "I mean--dear Noel--. why can't we go and get married now? I'm sure Mummy wouldn't mind." "H'm! I wonder!" said Noel. "I do love you so very much," said the chief bridesmaid, with eyes of shining sincerity. "And you are just the beautifullest soldier _I_ ever saw!"