Her continued self-possession utterly confused him. She had utterly confused Marion also, when told that her husband was in the house. She had had presentiments, and, besides, she had been schooling herself for this hour for a long time. She turned towards the door. “But,” he asked, like a supplicant, “our child! I want to see the boy.” She lifted her eyebrows, then, seeing the photograph of the baby on the table, understood how he knew. “Come with me, then,” she said, with a little more feeling. She led the way along the landing, and paused at her door. “Remember that we have to appear amongst the guests directly,” she said, as though to warn him against any demonstration. Then they entered. She went over to the cot and drew back the fleecy curtain from over the sleeping boy’s head. His fingers hungered to take his child to his arms. “He is magnificent--magnificent!” he said, with a great pride. “Why did you never let me know of it?” “How could I tell what you would do?” she calmly replied. “You married me--wickedly, and used me wickedly afterwards; and I loved the child.” “You loved the child,” he repeated after her. “Lali,” he added, “I don’t deserve it, but forgive me, if you can--for the child’s sake.” “We had better go below,” she calmly replied. “We have both duties to do. You will of course--appear with me--before them?” The slight irony in the tone cut him horribly. He offered his arm in silence. They passed on to the staircase. “It is necessary,” she said, “to appear cheerful before one’s guests.” She had him at an advantage at every point. “We will be cheerful, then,” was his reply, spoken with a grim kind of humour. “You have learned it all, haven’t you?” he added. They were just entering the ballroom. “Yes, with your kind help--and absence,” she replied. The surprise of the guests was somewhat diminished by the fact that Marion, telling General Armour and his wife first of Frank’s return, industriously sent the news buzzing about the room. The two went straight to Frank’s father and mother. Their parts were all excellently played. Then Frank mingled among the guests, being very heartily greeted, and heard congratulations on all sides. Old club friends rallied him as a deserter, and new acquaintances flocked about him; and presently he awakened to the fact that his Indian wife had been an interest of the season, was not the least admired person present. It was altogether too good luck for him; but he had an uncomfortable conviction that he had a long path of penance to walk before he could hope to enjoy it.