There were a few—­Lady Harriet among the number—­who condemned Udalkhand from the outset as impossible, and departed for Bhulwana without attempting to spend even the beginning of the hot season there.  Netta Ermsted also decided against it though Mrs. Ralston declared her intention of going thither, and she and Tessa departed for that universal haven The Grand Stand before any one else.

This freed Mrs. Ralston, but Stella had grown a little apart from her friend during that period at Kurrumpore, and a measure of reserve hung between them though outwardly they were unchanged.  A great languor had come upon Stella which seemed to press all the more heavily upon her because she only suffered herself to indulge it in Everard’s absence.  When he was present she was almost feverishly active, but it needed all her strength of will to achieve this, and she had no energy over for her friends.

Even after the move to Udalkhand had been accomplished, she scarcely felt the relief which she so urgently needed.  Though the place was undoubtedly more airy than Kurrumpore, the air came from the desert, and sand-storms were not infrequent.

She made a brave show nevertheless, and with Peter’s help turned their new abode into as dainty a dwelling-place as any could desire.  Tommy also assisted with much readiness though the increasing heat was anathema to him also.  He was more considerate for his sister just then than he had ever been before.  Often in Monck’s absence he would spend much of his time with her, till she grew to depend upon him to an extent she scarcely realized.  He had taken up wood-carving in his leisure hours and very soon she was fully occupied with executing elaborate designs for his workmanship.  They worked very happily together.  Tommy declared it kept him out of mischief, for violent exercise never suited him in hot weather.

And it was hot.  Every day seemed to bring the scorching reality of summer a little nearer.  In spite of herself Stella flagged more and more.  Tommy always kept a brave front.  He was full of devices for ameliorating their discomfort.  He kept the punkah-coolie perpetually at his task.  He made the water-coolie spray the verandah a dozen times a day.  He set traps for the flies and caught them in their swarms.

But he could not take the sun out of the sky which day by day shone from horizon to horizon as a brazen shield burnished to an intolerable brightness, while the earth—–­ parched and cracked and barren—­fainted beneath it.  The nights had begun to be oppressive also.  The wind from the desert was as the burning breath from a far-off forest-fire which hourly drew a little nearer.  Stella sometimes felt as if a monster-hand were slowly closing upon her, crushing out her life.

But still with all her might she strove to hide from Monck the ravages of the cruel heat, even stooping to the bitter subterfuge of faintly colouring the deathly whiteness of her cheeks.  For the wild-rose bloom had departed long since, as Netta Ermsted had predicted, though her beauty remained—­the beauty of the pure white rose which is fairer than any other flower that grows.