as well as those in front. Accordingly he made a very dignified exit
down the long path, tipped Mrs. Blaine's sais all the man had any right
to expect, and rode away feeling that he had made the right impression.
He looked particularly well on horseback.

Theresa Blaine smiled after him, wondering what impression she herself
had made; but she did not have much time to think about it. From the
open window behind her she was seized suddenly, drawn backward
and embraced.

"You are perfect!" Yasmini purred in her ear between kisses. "You are
surely one of the fairies sent to live among mortals for a sin! I shall
love you forever! Now that burra-wallah Samson sahib will ride into the
town, and perhaps also to the law-court, and to other places, to ask about
your landlord, of whom he knows nothing, having only heard a servant's
tale. But Tom Tripe will have told already that I am at the burra commissioner's
house, and Gungadhura will send there to ask questions. And whoever
goes will have to wait long. And when the commissioner returns at last
he will deny that I have been there, and the messenger will return to
Gungadhura, who will not believe a word of it, especially as he will know
that the commissioner has been riding about the town on an unknown
errand. So, after he has learned that I am back in my own palace,
Gungadhura will try to poison me again. All of which is as it should be.
Come closer and let me--"

"Child!" Tess protested. "Do you realize that you're dressed up like an
extremely handsome man, and are kissing me through a window in the
sight of all Sialpore? How much reputation do you suppose I shall have
left within the hour?