“What kind of sport?” questioned her listener.
“Sometimes tiger-shooting, sometimes hunting with cheetahs, sometimes elephant-catching or pigsticking.”
“Oh!” ejaculated Miss Skuce, who was visibly impressed.
“You see, my husband had a capital appointment, though he was uncovenanted. He drew large pay, and was supplied, besides, with carriages and horses, a house and servants.”
“How very nice! And about her ladyship?”
“Oh, Lady Hildegarde and Mr. Somers and their son came to us for ten days, but she unfortunately got a touch of the sun, and was laid up for weeks. My husband attended her, I nursed her, and we did all we possibly could for her. She was a charming patient, and so grateful. Mr. Somers and his son went on to the frontier, and left her with us during her convalescence. She joined them in Bombay. I have never seen her since I came to England.”
“Really. How strange!”
“But I met her son in London last summer. Such a handsome, unaffected young fellow (my poor husband took a great fancy to him). He was just on the eve of starting off to America, but he managed to give us two delightful days—one of them on the river—and was altogether most kind. He told me that his father and mother were abroad. I have quite lost sight of the whole family now. I don’t even know where they live when they are at home. I have lost sight of so many people,” added Emma, with a regretful sigh.