He bent his head. "You could not wish it otherwise," he said, gently.
She answered him with firmness, "No."
The few words helped to restore her self-possession. With her hand upon Tommy's arm she descended the steps into the green gloom of the jungle. The morning sun was smiting through the leaves. It gleamed in her eyes like the flashing of a sword. But—though the simile held her mind for a space—she felt no shrinking. She had a curious conviction that the path lay open before her at last. The Angel with the Flaming Sword no longer barred the way.
A party of Indian soldiers awaited her. She did not see how many. Perhaps she was too tired to take any very vivid interest in her surroundings. A native litter stood a few yards from the foot of the steps. Tommy guided her to it, Major Ralston walking on her other side.
She turned to the latter as they reached it. "Where is Hanani?" she said.
He raised his brows for a moment. "She has probably gone back to her people," he answered.
"She was here with me, only a minute ago," Stella said.
He glanced round. "She knows her way no doubt. We had better not wait now. If you want her, I will find her for you later."
"Thank you," Stella said. But she still paused, looking from Ralston to Tommy and back again, as one uncertain.
"What is it, darling?" said Tommy gently.