"Well, no—but after all, why not? The fellow may have had his own reasons for hiding."
"What possible reason could he have? He had heaps of money, and as you say, detested India; why remain for thirty years hiding his identity in exile?"
"Oh, for that matter," rejoined the General, and he gave a little cackling laugh, "I'm in exile, I'm hiding too,—and I've managed pretty cleverly; I've another family in England. I'm hiding from them!"
Mallender murmured his assent.
"Yes, I suppose Tom has told you! Well, now you have no idea of your Uncle's reasons for concealing himself, and you shall hear mine, I'll tell you my history, for you have an honest, upright look," and he stared into the tanned, high-bred face of his visitor.
"There are the cheroots, help yourself, and listen to me."
As Mallender selected a Trichy, he said to himself:
"This old gentleman much prefers talking about his own past, to discussing my present. How is it that people are always telling me their affairs, and mine get no forrader?" and he resigned himself accordingly.
"I came out young," began the General, after clearing his throat. "I married young; my Colonel's daughter, a girl of eighteen, but within a year she died of cholera. It nearly broke my heart. Think of it! All I had, taken from me within twelve hours. As I had been out some time, I took furlough, and went home, feeling as if I could never hold up my head again; but kind friends roused me, and made much of me, and by degrees I went out among people. After a bit I came across a very pretty,—I may say, amazingly beautiful girl, full of animation and gaiety. Her liveliness appealed to me, and raised my spirits; she was of old family, but hadn't a penny of fortune. Well, sir, we married, and came out here. Living was half what it is now—or less; eighty seers of gram to the rupee—think of that! I had good pay, and we set up in style with a carriage and pair, and gave dinners. My first home was on a modest scale, but admirably managed; here, there was no management at all! only dirty, idle, thievish servants, and enormous bills. However, my wife was always the belle of the station, and in extraordinary request for balls, theatricals, and picnics. Then came the children—three of them, hard on one another's heels, and Julia decided to take them home. I was not sorry to be rid of her! Hoping to get a chance to economise, and save. Every month, I remitted money, but it was never enough; and my wife was so restless; if she was six months at home, she longed to come back to India, and if she came out—in six weeks' time she was dying for London! Sir," suddenly sitting erect, "her extravagance was incredible! I've known Julia to have three furnished houses on hand; if she tired of one, she took another; she had maids, and governesses, and a carriage; no doubt people supposed I was a very rich man, instead of a miserable poor devil, with little beside his pay. I tell you, my boy, I dreaded her letters and enclosures so much, that sometimes I've left them unopened for days—they took the heart out of me," and his old voice broke, and quavered.
"If this distresses you, sir, I beg you won't go on," urged his listener.