"I need hardly tell you, that I'm dying to hear all your adventures," said Fan. "We have not seen you for eight whole months."
"No, and I've lots to tell you, important news too, but I'll wait, if I may, till we are in the smoking-room, with no audience."
"Meanwhile, I am on pins and needles," said Nancy, "and my imagination is filling in the most wonderful adventures and scenes."
"I saw some wonderful scenes when I was up in Coorg, and Mysore," and the traveller proceeded to give brief descriptions of his excursions, and experiences—omitting, however, all mention of Panjeverram, as he had no desire to bring Major Rochfort's past into the supremely happy present.
"You were somewhere near Madras once," said Colonel Tallboys, "for Proudfoot saw you, several times."
"Yes, I was after, what turned out to be a mare's nest!"
"I suppose you heard in the Hills of our anxiety and enquiries, and came down at once, like the good fellow you are?"
"Ye-e-s—that is to say, I had to come anyway."
"Oh, the usual thing, I suppose, eh?" said his cousin with a sly smile.
"The usual thing," repeated Geoffrey, but instead of a smile, a momentary spasm crossed his face.