And as she stood by the roadside awaiting his coming, her heart seemed to beat, "Lola, Lola, Lola," and the distant frogs chorussed "Lola, Lola, Lola."
They were holding a reception in a neighbouring tank, safe from the barbarous paddy bird, and the ruthless crane.
"Oh, here you are at last!" said Angel; "it is such an exquisite night, I thought I would walk home," adding apologetically, as she held up her dainty shoe, "the road is as dry as a floor; let us go across the parade-ground."
"All right," he assented; "it is too early for snakes. How hot it was in that drawing-room, with those big lamps."
"It was," assented his wife, "but you must have found it cooler—in the verandah."
There was a significant pause, and then Colonel Gascoigne boldly broke the ice at the thickest part.
"There is nothing so certain as the unexpected," he said; "who would have thought of seeing Lola out here?"
"Who, indeed?" echoed Angel coolly; "and we were wishing so much for a new face, though her face is not new to you. Everyone comes to India nowadays. It would never surprise me if grandmamma appeared. There she goes."
"What! your grandmother?"