Unperceived by her, the figure of a dusky native was stealthily stealing across the compound, keeping in the shadows of the trees and shrubs, until he stood beneath the verandah. Then, with a noiseless spring, he vaulted lightly over the railings, and stood beside the dreaming girl.
With a cry of alarm, Flora started from her reverie, and, turning quickly round, beheld Jewan Bukht.
“What do you do here?” she asked quickly, when she had recovered from her surprise.
“Hush!” he said, putting his finger to his lips. “Your life depends upon silence. I have something to say to you.”
She was a brave girl; but her heart sank now, for she knew that his boldness arose from some terrible cause. Her presence of mind, however, did not forsake her. To set this man at defiance would be to gain nothing. She would endeavour to learn his motive for coming.
“What is the meaning of this unceremonious intrusion at such an hour?” she asked, when her first feeling of alarm had passed.
“I came in the hope of seeing you as the day dawned,” he answered; “but Fortune has favoured me, and, as if it were so decreed, you are unexpectedly here alone, even while the night is young.”
“Well, and what of that?” she asked hastily, as the man paused.
“It is good,” he replied, “for I have much to say.”