The messenger reached the table and bowed low. "With the compliments of His Highness the Rajah of Sharapura!" he said, and deposited the casket upon the table.
The Colonel glanced at Sir Reginald who at once responded. "Convey our thanks to the Rajah," he said, "and say that the gracious gift will be much appreciated! I shall give myself the pleasure of calling upon him to assure him of this in person to-morrow."
The messenger salaamed again deeply, and withdrew.
"I wish he'd keep his precious moonstones!" grumbled the Colonel. "They are more bother than they're worth. Hurry up, there, Noel! It's getting late."
"Just finished, sir," came Noel's cheery answer. "I must just get a hat to hold the ballot-papers."
He did not offer a paper to Olga, who still kept her place by Sir Reginald, her young face white and tired under the pile of fair, powdered hair.
"I think I shall go when this is over," she whispered to Sir Reginald.
"So you shall," he said kindly. "I will escort you myself. I expect we shall find Nick waiting for us," he added, with a smile. "Some business has delayed him, I have no doubt."
She tried to smile in answer, but her lips quivered in spite of her. She turned her face aside, ashamed of her weakness.
Noel came up with the ballot-papers, and emptied them out upon the table without a glance at her.