'Ah! poor Hoosanee!' said Tom, smiling freely now. 'He wouldn't be left, Grace. He fell in love with you, like everyone else; wanted to start off at once and find you alone; but of course, I couldn't allow that, so he came with me. I owe it to his love and devotion that I am here now.' 'Then he is in the camp. Poor brave Hoosanee! I should like to see him.' 'But I am sorry to say he is not in the camp. I sent him off to the mountains three days ago, to search for you there. I hope he will join us presently.' 'And have you been looking for me ever since I was taken away?' said Grace. 'I should have looked for you till my hair was grey and my limbs were withered, Grace. I have found you much sooner than I thought.' 'It may not be so long as I think,' she murmured. 'To-day it seems to me that ages--eternities--have gone over my head since the night I was carried away. This morning I was trying to think back and--I could not--' There came a pitiful agonised consciousness into her face that frightened Tom. 'Don't,' he said beseechingly. 'There is no need. Put all those dreadful memories away! Let us go back, both of us, to the dear old days. Do you remember, Grace, our gardens that nearly touched, and the little wicket-gate, and the river? What a plague I must have been to you sometimes!' 'I think you were pretty tiresome,' said Grace, smiling. 'Ah! but the girls were tiresome too. Trixy and Maud--how they used to tease me! And the General was just as bad. I can feel the grip of his hand on my shoulder now--that night he found me, what he would have called philandering in his compound.' 'Father was very downright,' said Grace. 'But he liked you, Tom. I don't think there was anyone he liked better. Dearest father! I am afraid he must have been dreadfully miserable about me. Ah! how often--how often--I have wished for him--his stern look and his strong voice--I believe he could have frightened away any number of them.' 'He fought fifty--single handed,' said Tom. 'Bertie Liston came to Gumilcund and told me about it. They had laid an ambush for him--his own regiment--they nearly had him; but his audacity and resource carried the day. Some came over to his side---- 'He came out of it safely?' cried Grace. 'With only a slight wound, and he is better. When Bertie came to me he was nearly well. I sent word that I hoped to find you. They are all safe at Meerut. Our little Trixy is quite a heroine, at least Bertie thinks so. She got hold of a revolver and fired at one of the wretches who were trying to get in----' 'And mother?' broke in Grace. 'Is she well? Ah! what would I not give just to see her for a moment! Mother's dear, kind face! It is the sweetest face in all the world.' She broke down and covered her face with her hands, and tears, that seemed to heal her pain, came stealing down her pale cheeks. Then Tom stole away, for he felt that she would prefer to be alone.