Mr. Graham noticing the look of humiliation and guessing its cause, felt for this strong man to the bottom of his heart, and taking his arm, said;
“No, Onrai, she is not dead; but come with me, I would talk with you.”
Onrai, with his glance still resting on the floor, went out with Mr. Graham. When they had reached the terrace, Mr. Graham said:
“Onrai, I saw your suffering to-night, and, believe me, it touched my heart. But do you realize what you are doing? Are you doing this with your eyes open? Have you forgotten the laws of your land? I know but little about these, but I do know that you cannot marry. Then, are you doing yourself or that dear one inside, justice, by harboring such feelings? It can only bring unhappiness to both of you; therefore, banish such thoughts from your mind.”
“It is easy enough to say, do this, and I found it easy enough to resolve to do this, but I cannot do it. I cannot understand my weakness. My life has been spent, like my people’s, adhering to the laws laid down for us to follow. I have never questioned these, and have, by living up to them, been perfectly contented, as are all of my people. But you come to us from afar, and my life is changed immediately; at first I was pleased with you all, and then I found myself happier when alone with Enola and discontented when away from her; and not until last night did I realize that it was love which had wrought this change in me. Since then, what with the discovery of my sin and the fear for Enola’s life, I have suffered the tortures of hell.” As Onrai ceased speaking a noise like the marching of a heavy body of cavalry reached their ears. It was coming nearer and nearer. What did it mean?
CHAPTER XXI.
IN PERIL.
The rumbling noise came nearer and nearer, and Onrai and Mr. Graham stood without saying a word. In some respects the noise resembled that of the night before, but it came from the opposite direction. Involuntarily the two watchers looked at the heavens, but seeing the stars shining brightly, all fears of another storm were allayed.
“What can it be?” asked Mr. Graham.
“I cannot tell,” said Onrai. “It sounds like the tramp of many zebra, but I cannot understand why there should be any riders out to-night, unless it be a body of men who are on their way to to-morrow’s work. But even they would have started so as to have reached their destination long before this. It puzzles me greatly.”
“Could it be a body of men coming to you on a mission of some kind?” asked Mr. Graham.