Suddenly I saw Bessie Drayton just in front of me. In delight at seeing her, I forgot about it, and, quickening my pace, overtook her, and lifted my hat. She smiled divinely, saying, “Why, Mr. Nares, I just going to write——” At that moment, when I was listening to her sweet voice, it projected me! Could ill-nature go further? But, luckily, its mind was not really concentrated on what it was doing. I believe it was thinking of Bessie, and consequently it only carried about a hundred yards. I landed behind one of the big elms, where I lay perdu till it had gone by. It and Bessie passed me together, and it was grinning from ear to ear, and looked as pleased as Punch. And poor Bessie, who thought she was talking to me, was being most charming to it.
I did not waste time in swearing. I ran like the wind back to college, hoping that Bessie’s society would prevent it coming after me till I had spoken to the rajah. I still retained one pull over it. In order to unite, it had to come where I was; it could not resume me from a distance, as I used to resume it; so if it united now it would have to leave Bessie.
By a blessed chance, the rajah was at home, and in trembling haste I poured my story into his ear. He burst out laughing.
“I was afraid of it!” he gasped, holding his sides. “How splendid!”
I restrained my annoyance, and after a time he became a little more grave.
“Do help me!” I urged. “It may unite at any moment, and project me the deuce knows where.”
“Oh, it’ll be all right with the young lady.”
“Not for long. She’s very particular, and won’t let it walk far with her.”
“Oh, then we must act. You don’t feel it yet?”