While they were thus engaged, Robert came up and angrily discovered the two children thus happy together.  Saying some rude things to Charles, he pushed him away from his playmate’s side with rude and brutal force, throwing Charles to the ground.  This was too much, even for his forbearing spirit, and the injured and outraged boy, smarting under the previous injury he had endured, rose quickly to his feet, and with one blow knocked Robert heavily upon the ground.  The blow had been a severe one, and the boy was faint and unable to stand for a moment.  Charles looked at him for an instant, then helped to raise him up, and waited until he was again sufficiently conscious to walk.  Then he saw him walk angrily toward the house, where he knew very well what would follow on his return there.  All the while his little companion had stood regarding first one and then the other.  Now Charles stepped to her side, and said: 

“I am sorry, Helen; but it is very, very hard to bear.”

She shook her little head as he spoke, but held up her lips for the kiss he offered, and saw him turn away from home towards the distant town.

CHAPTER V.

The naval officer.

The reader will think that seven league boots—­the storyteller’s prerogative—­are in special demand as it regards our story, for once more we must return through a period of years to the date, or thereabouts, on which our story opens.  It was on one of those close, sultry afternoons that characterize the climate of summer in India, that two of our characters were seated together in a graceful and rather elegant villa in the environs of Calcutta.  The air of the lady—­for the couple were of either sex, was one of beauty in repose.  She was evidently listening to the gallant speech of her companion with respect, but without interest, while on his part the most casual observer might have read in his voice, his features, and his words, the accent, the bearing, the language of love.

The lady was a gentle being of surpassing beauty, with black eyes, jetty hair and brilliant complexion; there was little of the characteristics of the East in her appearance, though she seemed to be quite at home beneath the Indian Sun.  She was of the middle height, perhaps a little too slender and delicate in form to meet a painter’s idea of perfection, but yet just such an idol as a poet would have worshipped.  She was strikingly handsome, and there was a brilliancy and spirit in the glance of her dark eyes that told of much character, and much depth of feeling; and while you gazed at her now, sitting beneath the broad piazza, you would have detected a shadow ever and anon cross her brow, as though the words of him by her side aroused some unpleasant memory, and diverted her thoughts rather to past scenes than to the consideration of his immediate remarks.