"Without his knowledge. He knows now. I did not wish to compromise him, and I begged my friends to keep my secret until I was baptized. I am of age, and can please myself."
He looked up at Wenaston, as if to hear what he had to say, and whether he approved.
"You ought to have told Twyford."
Ananda's hands were lifted in a little gesture of deprecation.
"I was afraid, afraid of losing my new-found happiness. I was afraid of opposition from Bopaul if he knew. I was afraid lest the Professor should want me to write first to my father and obtain his consent. I was afraid——"
He paused, and Wenaston remarked with a gravity in which there was concern and doubt—
"You may in truth say that you have taken a momentous step. God give you strength to be no longer afraid."
CHAPTER IV
Chirapore, the capital of the large native state of Chirakul was situated on plateau land. In the months of March and April the thermometer rose above ninety degrees; but the rest of the year the climate was subtropical in character, and accounted cool as compared with the plains.