“I believe so,” she said in a low voice, and she shivered.  She turned her face towards Casson.  It was troubled, fear-stricken, and in that assembly of laughing and light-hearted people it roused him with a shock.  “I wish, with all my heart, that they had not,” she added, and her voice shook and trembled as she spoke.

The terrible story of Linforth’s end, long since dim in Sir John Casson’s recollections, came back in vivid detail.  He said no more upon that point.  He took Mrs. Linforth down to supper, and bringing her back again, led her round the ball-room.  An open archway upon one side led into a conservatory, where only fairy lights glowed amongst the plants and flowers.  As the couple passed this archway, Sir John looked in.  He did not stop, but, after they had walked a few yards further, he said: 

“Was it pale blue that Violet Oliver was wearing?  I am not clever at noticing these things.”

“Yes, pale blue and—­pearls,” said Sybil Linforth.

“There is no need that we should walk any further.  Here are two chairs,” said Sir John.  There was in truth no need.  He had ascertained something about which, in spite of his outward placidity, he had been very curious.

“Did you ever hear of a man named Luffe?” he asked.

Sybil Linforth started.  It had been Luffe whose continual arguments, entreaties, threats, and persuasions had caused the Road long ago to be carried forward.  But she answered quietly, “Yes.”

“Of course you and I remember him,” said Sir John.  “But how many others?  That’s the penalty of Indian service.  You are soon forgotten, in India as quickly as here.  In most cases, no doubt, it doesn’t matter.  Men just as good and younger stand waiting at the milestones to carry on the torch.  But in some cases I think it’s a pity.”

“In Mr. Luffe’s case?” asked Sybil Linforth.

“Particularly in Luffe’s case,” said Sir John.

CHAPTER X

AN UNANSWERED QUESTION

Sir John had guessed aright.  Shere Ali was in the conservatory, and Violet Oliver sat by his side.

“I did not expect you to-night,” she said lightly, as she opened and shut her fan.

“Nor did I mean to come,” he answered.  “I had arranged to stay in the country until to-morrow.  But I got my letter from the India Office this morning.  It left me—­restless.”  He uttered the word with reluctance, and almost with an air of shame.  Then he clasped his hands together, and blurted out violently:  “It left me miserable.  I could not stay away,” and he turned to his companion.  “I wanted to see you, if only for five minutes.”  It was Violet Oliver’s instinct to be kind.  She fitted herself naturally to the words of her companions, sympathised with them in their troubles, laughed with them when they were at the top of their spirits.  So now her natural kindness made her eyes gentle.  She leaned forward.