"'Perhaps, perhaps, but only time will decide,' he replied, cautiously. 'You must wait and see.'
"'Wait! wait!' I cried, impatiently. 'There is no time to wait. I must act, and that quickly.'
"The munshi looked at me commiseratingly, but contented himself with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Just then a servant approached, and whispered in his master's ear. The old man sat up from his half-reclining attitude, and methought for a moment that an amused smile crept over his face.
"'Admit him,' he said to the attendant. 'Admit him at once.'
"Then, turning to me with his accustomed gravity, he added in explanation: 'A friend of mine has called. He is an interesting man, and I want you to know him.'
"I was about to protest that I had not come there to make new acquaintances, when the curtain was pushed aside, and none other than the stranger who had addressed me at the caravanserai stepped on to the veranda. He crossed over to the master of the house, and greeted him affectionately. I decided to remain at least a short time, and waited quietly until my host should introduce his visitor. This he straightway proceeded to do, presenting us to each other with a courteous wave of his hand.
"A glow of pleasure suffused the newcomer's face when he recognized me.
"'Fate is indeed kind,' said he. 'I was going to try and find you again at the rest house, when, lo and behold! here you are, the guest of my good friend, the munshi.'
"'What! Are you already acquainted?' exclaimed our host, visibly surprised, despite the philosophy of self-restraint he was so fond of preaching.