The young lady shook her head.

“I expect that that would be going straight to destruction.”

“And what, may I ask, makes you think this?”

“I have already told you that in case of war English women are, here in India, only tolerably safe when in the immediate neighbourhood of soldiers.  If we were to be defeated, the revenge the people would take on its oppressors would be terrible.  Are you aware of the cruel instincts which slumber in these men, apparently so polite and submissive?  The defenceless women and children would, without doubt, be their first victims.  It was so in the Mutiny of 1857, and so it will be again under similar conditions.  Nana Sahib and his crew wallowed at that time in the fiendish tortures of white women and children, and shed streams of innocent blood.  And the civilisation of the lower classes has certainly since then not improved.”

“You speak as if you considered a defeat of your army probable.”

“I cannot get rid of my melancholy forebodings.  And you, yourself, Mr. Heideck—­please be straightforward with me!  When the adjutant was standing there a little while ago, and when every one of his words showed the want of circumspection in our generals, I watched your face, and I read more from its expression than you have any idea of.  I will not try to enter into your secrets, but I should be grateful if you would be candid with me.  You are not the person for whom you here give yourself out.”

He did not hesitate for a moment to confess to her the truth.

“No, I am a German officer, and have been sent here by my superiors to study the Anglo-Indian army.”

Edith’s surprise was evidently not great.

“I had an inkling of it.  And now please answer my question quite as straightforwardly.  Do you believe that the British army will be victorious?”

“I would not permit myself to give an opinion on this point, Mrs. Irwin.”

“But you must have an idea.  And I would give a great deal to know what it is.”

“Well, then—­I believe in English bravery, but not in English victory.”

She heaved a deep sigh, but she nodded her head in assent, as if he had only expressed her own conviction.  Then she gave him her hand and said softly—­

“I thank you for your confidence, and as a matter of course no one shall ever learn from me who you are.  But now I must insist more than ever that you leave us for your own safety’s sake.”

“And if I were to refuse?  Supposing that in my position as soldier I were to consider it to be my duty not to leave you in the lurch?  Would you be angry with me?  Would you no longer permit me to enjoy the happiness of your society?”

Her breast heaved, but she bowed her head and was silent.  Heideck plainly saw the glistening tears which stole from under her eyelids, and slowly rolled down her delicate cheek.

That was answer enough for him.  He bowed, and kissing both her hands, whispered—­