"Poor Stella!" said Bernard. "And she hates India!" She turned upon him almost in anger. "How dare you pity me? I love anywhere that I can be with him." "So like a woman!" commented Bernard. "Or is it something in the air? I'll never bring Tessa out here when she's grown up, or she'll marry and be stuck here for the rest of her life." "You can do as you like with Tessa," said Stella, and turned again to Sir Reginald. "Is that all you want of me now?" "One thing more," he answered gently. "I hope I may say it without giving offence." With a gesture all-unconsciously regal she gave him both her hands. "You may say--anything," she said impulsively. He bent again courteously. "Mrs. Monck, will you invite me to witness the ratification of the bond already existing between my friend Everard Monck, and the lady who is honouring him by becoming his lawful wife?" She flushed deeply but not painfully. "I will," she said. "Bernard, you will see to that, I know." "Yes; leave it to me, dear!" said Bernard. "Thank you," she said; and to Sir Reginald: "Good-bye! I am going to my husband now." "Good-bye, Mrs. Monck!" he said. "And many thanks for your graciousness to a stranger." "Oh no!" she answered quickly. "You are a friend--of us both." "I am proud to be called so," he said. As she passed back into the bungalow her heart fluttered within her like the wings of a bird mounting upwards in the dawning. The sun had risen upon the desert. CHAPTER XII THE BLUE JAY "Tommy says his name is Sprinter; but Uncle St. Bernard calls him Whisky. I wonder which is the prettiest," said Tessa. "I should call him Whisky out of compliment to Uncle St. Bernard," said Mrs. Ralston. "He certainly does whisk," said Tessa. "But then--Tommy gave him to me." She spoke with tender eyes upon a young mongoose that gambolled at her feet. "Isn't he a love?" she said. "But he isn't nearly so pretty as darling Scooter," she added loyally. "Is he, Aunt Mary?" "Not yet, dear," said Mrs. Ralston with a smile. "I wish Uncle St. Bernard and Tommy would come," said Tessa restlessly. "I hope you are going to be very good," said Mrs. Ralston. "Oh yes," said Tessa rather wearily. "But I wish I hadn't begun quite so soon. Do you think Uncle St. Bernard will spoil me, Aunt Mary?" "I hope not, dear," said Mrs. Ralston. Tessa sighed a little. "I wonder if I shall be sick on the voyage Home. I don't want to be sick, Aunt Mary." "I shouldn't think about it if I were you, dear," said Mrs. Ralston sensibly. "But I want to think about it," said Tessa earnestly. "I want to think about every minute of it. I shall enjoy it so. Dear Uncle St. Bernard said in his letter the other day that we should be like the little pigs setting out to seek their fortunes. He says he is going to send me to school--only a day school though. Aunt Mary, shall I like going to school?" "Of course you will, dear. What sensible little girl doesn't?"