CHAPTER III
THE GIRL AT FAIRPLAINS
Proceeding through the coffee estate at a sort of dog's trot, Mayne was sorely exercised in his mind; being filled with serious misgivings concerning the planter's daughter; probably a pert, autocratic little minx, after the manner of the usual "apples of eyes," who would no doubt prove—as far as he was concerned—a real spoil-sport! For days he had indulged in glowing visions of a rough outdoor life; of camps, long marches, exciting stalks, heavy spoils, and freedom!
Could a manager leave his estate? and if he did, and brought his encumbrance, how hateful and irksome to have this girl tacked on to the party! Well, he could soon see how the land lay, and if the outlook was too discouraging, would hurry off and spend his leave in Ceylon—where he might,—with any luck—get an elephant or two.
It was a lovely starlight evening, and after the hot and clammy atmosphere of Cananore, the thin cool hill air, with its tang of eucalyptus, was as refreshing as a draught of spring water. Up various steep coolie paths, bordered by clumps of aromatic blue gum, and ragged bushes, and round many sharp corners, Mayne followed his light-footed leader. Presently they came upon a good metalled road, running through coffee, and above them, on a raised plateau, stood Fairplains, with lighted windows, and lanterns flickering like fire-flies about the premises.
As Mayne approached, the barking of many dogs was deafening, and he halted just below the bungalow. When he did so, the majestic figure of an elderly butler, appeared at the top of a flight of stone steps, brandishing a lantern in one hand, and salaaming profoundly with the other.
"Is the sahib at home?" inquired Mayne.
"Yes, saar, please to come up, saar?"
Thus invited, the visitor dismounted, and ascended to the verandah; and as he did so, caught sight, within a room, of a girl reading. By the light of a shaded lamp, he invisioned a wisp-like figure in white, and a bent head crowned with a mass of hair.
"Francis!" called out a clear young voice, "why are those dogs making such a noise? Is it the panther again?"