And so, being, as I have said, a childish little creature, and accustomed to rebuke, Lucy sat on with red eyes and trembling fingers, trying to amuse herself and feel comfortable; but possessed, all the time, with a sense of sorrow and remorse that nearly crushed her. At last, when the heat of the day was over, and the sky behind the trees that sheltered their retreat was all ablaze with gold and crimson, she saw Chunder Singh coming slowly towards them. His face was covered, and his head had dropped upon his breast, and in the dark eyes that looked out from the folds of his chuddah there was a strange glitter. Lucy had been running out to meet him; but when she saw those blazing eyes she withdrew. 'Something has happened,' she whispered to Aglaia. 'You know him better than we do, child. Ask him what it is!' Then Aglaia ran out, and Lucy, who was trembling from head to foot, heard her little baby voice. 'Do bring Daddy-Tom,' she said. 'He hasn't been to see us all the day.' 'Missy,' said Chunder Singh, in grave, sad tones, 'ask Miss Sahib and the Mem Sahibs where his Excellency is.' He was at the door of the summer-house, and as he spoke these ominous words, he looked round upon them searchingly. 'Ask _us_!' cried Lucy hysterically. 'What does the strange man mean?' 'Madam,' said Chunder Singh, bowing low, 'you must have the goodness to come with me.' 'I?' shrieked Lucy. 'Why? What do you want with me? Oh!' falling on her knees, 'have pity! If he has gone, I know nothing about it. I may have meant to ask him; but I hadn't the chance. Ask the others. We saw him for a few little moments last evening, and to-day we have been alone. Indeed! indeed! no one has come to us. Oh! don't you believe me?' 'Let me assure you, before those here, who will remember my words,' said Chunder Singh, 'that we mean you no harm. If you fear, let Missy Sahib and her ayah come with you. Our rajah has gone. How he has gone, or why, we cannot as yet find out; and as Hoosanee, the servant who brought you to Gumilcund, has gone also, we would ask you the questions which we would have asked him had he been here. Miss Sahib I ask to come because she is most interested in what has happened. But if one of the Mem Sahibs----' 'No, no, no. Take me! I will tell you all I can,' sobbed Lucy. * * * * *