He stooped with a very courtly gesture and carried her hand to his lips. "Everard Monck is a very lucky man," he said, "but I think he is almost worthy of his luck. And now—I want you to tell me one thing more. Where can I find him?"
Her hand trembled a little in his. "I—am not sure he would wish me to tell you that."
Sir Reginald's grey moustache twitched whimsically. "If his desire for privacy is so great, it shall be respected. Will you take him a message from me?"
"Of course," she said.
Sir Reginald patted her hand and released it. "Then please tell him," he said, "that the Indian Empire cannot afford to lose the services of so valuable a servant as he has proved himself to be, and if he will accept a secretaryship with me I think there is small doubt that it will eventually lead to much greater things."
Stella gave a great start. "Oh, do you mean that?" she said.
Sir Reginald smiled openly. "I really do, Mrs. Monck, and I shall think myself very fortunate to secure him. You will use your influence, I hope, to induce him to accept?"
"But of course," she said.
"Poor Stella!" said Bernard. "And she hates India!"
She turned upon him almost in anger. "How dare you pity me? I love anywhere that I can be with him."