For one incredible moment, his face moved a little nearer to hers—­paused, as if irresolute, and withdrew.

So brief was the instant, so slight the movement, that she almost doubted her senses.  But her inmost being knew—­and ached, without shyness or shame, for the kiss withheld....

“You’ve the grit—­I knew it,” Roy said at last, in the level voice that had puzzled her earlier in the evening:  and his hand slid from her shoulder.  “Come now—­we’ve been too long.  Thea will be wondering....”

He turned; and she moved beside him, walking in a dream.

“Did you say much, before I came?” he asked, after a pause, “to that fellow—­Chandranath?”

“I spoke a little—­thinking him a guru——­” She paused.  The name woke a chord of memory.  “Chandranath,” she repeated, “that is the name they said——­”

“Who?” Roy asked sharply, coming out of his own dream.

“Mataji and the widowed Aunt——­”

“What do they know of him?”

“How can I tell?  I think it was—­through our guru, he made offer of marriage—­for me; wishing for an educated wife.  I was wondering—­could it be the same——?”

“Well, look here,” he rounded on her, suddenly imperious.  “If it is—­you can tell them I won’t have it.  Grandfather would be furious.  He ought to know—­and Dyan.  Your menfolk don’t seem to get a look in.”

“Not much—­with marrying arrangements.  That is for women and priests.  But—­for now, I am safe, with Mrs Leigh——­”

“And you’ll stay safe—­as far as he’s concerned.  You see, I know the fellow.  He’s the man I slanged in the City that day.  Besides—­at school——­”

He unfolded the tale of St Rupert’s; and she listened, amazed.

“So don’t worry over that,” he commanded, in his kind elder-brotherly tone.  “As for your poor little chiragh, for goodness’ sake don’t let it get on your nerves.”

She sighed—­knowing it would; yet longing to be worthy of him.  It seemed he understood, for his hand closed lightly on her arm.

“That won’t do at all!  If you feel quavery inside, try holding your head an inch higher.  Gesture’s half the battle of life.”

“Is it?  I never thought——­” she murmured, puzzled, but impressed.  And after that, things somehow seemed easier than she had thought possible over there, by the tank.

Secure, under Thea’s wing, she drove to the Palace, where they were royally entertained by an unseen host, who could not join them at table without imperilling his soul.  Later on, he appeared—­grey-bearded, courtly and extensively jewelled—­supported by Sir Lakshman, the prince, and a few privileged notables; whereupon they all migrated to the Palace roof for the grand display of fireworks—­fitting climax to the Feast of Lights.

Throughout the evening Roy was seldom absent from Aruna’s side.  They said little, but his presence wrapped her round with a sense of companionship more intimate than she had yet felt even in their happiest times together.  While rocket after rocket soared and curved and blossomed in mid-heaven, her gaze reverted persistently to the outline of a man’s head and shoulders silhouetted against the sky....