Although Captain Haig danced continuously—chiefly with the party from Government House—he happened to notice that Salwey hung about doorways, and that his eyes were constantly fixed on Miss Verona Chandos. Was he épris also? Would he dare to marry her? Brave Salwey! They had been at Harrow together, and Salwey had always been notorious for a species of reckless, and at the same time dogged, courage. Well, the girl herself was lovely—whatever her people were—and apparently fate had no stroke that she could not bear with dignity and fortitude.
CHAPTER XXXVI
It was just tiffin-time at the hotel, and Mrs. Lepell, somewhat weary and yawning, was about to summon her two young ladies, when her ayah hurried into her room in breathless haste, and announced:
"Salwey Sahib want see Mem Sahib," and her nephew followed almost on the ayah's heels. He looked so discomposed that she knew at once that something serious had happened.
"Oh, what is it?" she asked. "Is it Tom?"
"No," he said, glancing round the room to see that all the doors were closed—then lowering his voice, he added:
"It is Nicky Chandos."
Mrs. Lepell stepped back and sank into a chair.
"Ssh! don't talk loud. Tell me all about it. How did you hear?"
"The head constable has come in with a letter, and I am off in five minutes. I left the poor boy the use of my horses, and last night he was riding out to Manora on Baber, no doubt full gallop. Some devil had put a rope across the road. Baber broke his neck, and I fancy that Nicky was killed on the spot. They were found early this morning, with my dog 'Chum' on guard over the two bodies."