"Because I need not now return to India."
"Then—then," he stammered, "I gather that you and Salwey are engaged."
"It is true," she answered softly, "though not yet announced in the Morning Post, and I tell you as an old friend. He is on his way home."
"Oh, Miss Hargreaves! I—of course—wish you every happiness, but this is very terrible news to me."
"To you? I don't quite understand," she said sedately.
"You know very well how long I have been attached to you, don't you? And now I'm too late. Do you realise what brought me to England?"
"Sick leave, I think you said."
"Home-sick leave. I wanted to see you."
"Now, Captain Haig, please don't be so tragic!" she exclaimed with a touch of impatience, "you know very well that in your heart of hearts you did not care so very much for me. You will soon forget all about Homburg, and I will forget all about India, and so we will be quits, and, I trust, good friends."
"I am sure you two must have had quite a nice Indian gossip!" said Lady Ida, sweeping into the room, note in hand; "I suppose you have been going over all your mutual experiences out there?"