Netta laughed again, lightly, flippantly.  “Good old Mary!  Where is she going to?”

His eyes came down upon her suddenly like the flash of a knife.  “She has consented to go to Bhulwana with the rest,” he said.  “But I beg you will not accompany her there.  As Captain Ermsted’s widow and—­” he spoke as one hewing his way—­“the chosen friend of the Rajah, your position in the State is one of considerable difficulty—­possibly even of danger.  And I do not propose to allow my wife to take unnecessary risks.  For that reason I must ask you to go before matters come to a head.  You have stayed too long already.”

“Good gracious!” said Netta, opening her eyes wide.  “But if Mary’s sacred person is to be safely stowed at Bhulwana, what is to prevent my remaining here if I so choose?”

“Because I don’t choose to let you, Mrs. Ermsted,” said Major Ralston steadily.

She gazed at him.  “You—­don’t—­choose!  You!”

His eyes did battle with hers.  Since that slighting allusion to his wife, he had no consideration left for Netta.  “That is so,” he said, in his heavy fashion.  “I have already pointed out that you would be well-advised on your own account to go—­not to mention the child’s safety.”

“Oh, the child!” There was keenness about the exclamation which almost amounted to actual dislike.  “I’m tired to death of having Tessa’s welfare and Tessa’s morals rammed down my throat.  Why should I make a fetish of the child?  What is good enough for me is surely good enough for her.”

“I am afraid I don’t agree with you,” said Major Ralston.

“You wouldn’t,” she rejoined.  “You and Mary are quite antediluvian in your idea.  But that doesn’t influence me.  I am glad to say I am more up to date.  If I can’t stay here, I shall go to Udalkhand.  There’s a hotel there as well as here.”

“Of sorts,” said Major Ralston.  “Also Udalkhand is nearer to the seat of disturbance.”

“Well, I don’t care.”  Netta spoke recklessly.  “I’m not going to be dictated to.  What a mighty scare you’re all in!  What can you think will happen even if a few natives do get out of hand?”

“Plenty of things might happen,” he rejoined, getting up.  “But that by the way.  If you won’t listen to reason I am wasting my time.  But—­” he spoke with abrupt emphasis—­“you will not take Tessa to Udalkhand.”

Netta’s eyes gleamed.  “I shall take her to Kamtchatka if I choose,” she said.

For the first time a smile crossed Major Ralston’s face.  He turned to the door.  “And if she chooses,” he said, with malicious satisfaction.

The door closed upon him, and Netta was left alone.

She remained motionless for a few moments showing her teeth a little in an answering smile; then with a swift, lissom movement, that would have made Tommy compare her to a lizard, she rose.

With a white, determined face she bent over the writing-table and scribbled a hasty note.  Her hand shook, but she controlled it resolutely.