Stella investigated this resolution on one occasion, and finally extracted from Tessa the admission that she was afraid to go to bed early lest her mother should go out unexpectedly, in which event the ayah would certainly retire to the servants’ quarters, and she would be alone in the bungalow.  No amount of reasoning on Stella’s part could shake this dread.  Tessa’s nerves were strung to a high pitch, and it was evident that she felt very strongly on the subject.  So, out of sheer pity, Stella sometimes kept her at “The Nest,” and Tessa’s gratitude knew no bounds.  She was growing fast, and ought to have been in England for the past year at least; but Netta’s plans were still vague.  She supposed she would have to go when the Ralstons did, but she saw no reason for hurry.  Lady Harriet remonstrated with her on the subject, but obtained no satisfaction.  Netta was her own mistress now, and meant to please herself.

Monck arrived late one evening on the day before that on which he was expected, and found Tessa and Peter playing with a ball in the compound.  The two were fast friends and Stella often left Tessa in his charge while she rested.

She was resting now, lying in her own room with a book, when suddenly the sound of Tessa’s voice raised in excited welcome reached her.  She heard Monck’s quiet voice make reply, and started up with every pulse quivering.  She had not seen him for nearly six weeks.

She met him in the verandah with Tessa hanging on his arm.  Since her great love for Stella had developed, she had adopted Stella’s husband also as her own especial property, though it could scarcely be said that Monck gave her much encouragement.  On this occasion she simply ceased to exist for him the moment he caught sight of Stella’s face.  And even Stella herself forgot the child in the first rapture of greeting.

But later Tessa asserted herself again with a determination that would not be ignored.  She begged hard to be allowed to remain for the night; but this Stella refused to permit, though her heart smote her somewhat when she saw her finally take her departure with many wistful backward glances.

Monck was hard-hearted enough to smile.  “Let the imp go!  She has had more than her share already,” he said.  “I’m not going to divide you with any one under the sun.”

Stella was lying on the sofa.  She reached out and held his hand, leaning her cheek against his sleeve.  “Except—­” she murmured.

He bent to her, his lips upon her shining hair.  “Ah, I have begun to do that already,” he said, with a touch of sadness.  “I wonder if you are as lonely up here as I am at Udalkhand.”

She kissed his sleeve.  “I miss you—­unspeakably,” she said.

His fingers closed upon hers.  “Stella, can you keep a secret?”

She looked up swiftly.  “Of course—­of course.  What is it?  Have they made you Governor-General of the province?”