An awful dread clutched her. She knelt swiftly down beside him. "Everard, listen! I don't care what has happened or what is likely to happen. My place is by your side—and nowhere else. I am coming with you. Nothing on earth shall prevent me."
Her words were quick and vehement, her whole being pulsated. She challenged his look with eyes of shining resolution.
His arms were round her in a moment; he held her fast. "My Stella! My wife!" he said.
She clung closely to him. "By your side, I will face anything. You know it, darling. I am not afraid."
"I know, I know," he said. "I won't leave you behind. I couldn't now. But a time will come when we shall have to separate. We've got to face that."
"Wait till it comes!" she whispered. "It isn't—yet."
He kissed her on the lips. "No, not yet, thank heaven. You want to know what has happened. I will tell you. Ermsted—you know Ermsted—was shot in the jungle near Khanmulla this afternoon, about half an hour ago."
"Oh, Everard!" She started back in horror and was struck afresh by the awful intentness of his eyes.
"Yes," he said. "And if I had been here to receive that message, I could have prevented it."
"Oh, Everard!" she said again.