rough left the tent on the lawn for the first time, whilst the ayah

hot to the touch as if they had been hanging in front of a blazing fire. The air was thick with tawny dust. The oppression was frightful. The excessive dryness made every breath feel like the blast of a furnace. Insect wings began to drop off all over the rooms, and were wafted into drifts by the waving fans from the ceiling, and their wretched little owners, who had lost them, were wriggling about th

lowed her everywhere with a pertinacity that sai

divert the child. Her dolls an

ay. He virtually kept his mistress's purse, and bought everything she wanted. His purchases that morning were numerous, for the preparations for the removal to the hills were hurried on by Mr. Desborough. He w

ep," he charged the ayah. But the ayah told

g lips, at last lifted the lead-like load which to Kathleen seemed breaking

e at such a question. "Mamma must love her little daughter m

ow. I let the wolf in," lamen

borough. "My child, the wolf t

anger boy said so. O mamma, could not God, who took care of Danie

ran to his mistress as she sank on the edge of the bath, overcome with the thoughts which Kathleen's wild words had su

's distress of mind was so great. But she saw Mr. Desborough's strong motive for hurrying them off to the hills. If th

ndia are a simple affair. A thick quilted cotton resais, as they call it, serves for sheets, blanket, and mattress all in one. A supply of pillows is all that is necessary; bolsters are unused in India. They must also take calico for p

doll, which it carried to the tallest tamarind tree in the garden. There it sat on one of the topmost branches, cuddling the doll in its olive-green paws, as if it were a great treasure. Kathleen did not mind it much. The gardener assured

so was an added grie

st believe all the servants were saying, for they were idolaters. They thought that monkeys were better than men, and that some of them were sacred, and they really worshipped th

as better-goi

the veranda, before the windows of the drawing-room where they were talking. Aw

playfellow," Mr. Desborough continued, turning to his wife. "Thank God

rough the gates of the compound just as the glorious sun was sinking in its bed of ebony and go

rney. Until the heaving of burdens and the buckling of straps were concluded, the ayah amused Kathleen by pointing to the setting sun, and gravely assuring her there were twelve suns, brothers, who shone by turns. This one was going away, and his elder brother, who was so strong he

his must be one of the

uting to it to be quiet until the sahib was ready to mount. "O son of a pig!"

on they went, with a slow and even swing, whilst the coolies laughed and chatted as if they were almost enjoying the heavy burdens which English arms could never have lifted. Up and up once more, as the moon shone forth with its silver radiance, bathing the stately forest trees with its soft, clear light, and making the dark shadows which rested on the deep ravines all the blacker by contrast. They were passing the two-storied stone-built castle of a mountain chief, perched li

est hour of a

hich brin

t them, it would have soothed their heartache. They could see no ending to their night of sorrow; they scarce

g amid a forest of pine trees high up overhead. Should they ever reach it? The flowers which covered those

d hands, clamouring for the bright, many-colour

re of pulling them to pieces and pelting the black shoulders of their bearers with them, found vent

ngerous. Some asses laden with grain were on their way to the Rana's castle, and their drivers drew aside to make their s

ughter echoed through the darkest ravines. It was the morning song of the black-faced thrushes that congregate in unimagina

reepers and roses, checkered with multitudinous flowers that were unknown to Kathleen and her mother. On they went, swinging

ne wood. Before them stood the pleasant bungalow, with its hospitable doors wide open to receive the travellers. Its white-washed rooms looked airy and clean. A few native servants who belonged to the place hurried out to welcome them; and Kathleen, who was leaning eagerly forwa

hat overspread the place. Here and there the great bauhinia creeper wreathed itself into delightful bowers above the moss-covered stem of a fallen pine. Its strong tendrils, like furzy brown horns, caught the overarching boughs of the tallest trees and bound them i