At this moment the much-enduring "machine" jingled up to the door, and Captain Dermott's luggage, together with his gun-cases and a generous bundle of game for the mess-table at Aldershot, was piled in at the back. Their owner followed after, and seeing the glowing end of my cigar in the dark, advanced to say good-bye.
Kitty uttered some pretty expression of regret at his departure, and flitted into the house. Dermott and I surveyed each other silently through the darkness.
"Is it any use asking you to come and look us up in town?" I said at last rather lamely.
He laughed through set teeth—not a pretty sound.
"I think I'll—avoid your household for a bit, Adrian," he answered.
I nodded gravely.
"I see," I said. "I—I'm sorry, old man!"
"I'm going to India, if I can get away," he continued, after a pause.
"Good scheme!" I replied. "We shall think of you most kindly—er, all of us."
He said nothing, but shook hands in a grateful sort of fashion, and turned away.