Egeria's companion secretly and with some alarm reviewed
her own equipment in these directions. Miss Mallory discoursed of India.
Mrs. Colwood had lived in it. But her husband had entered the Indian
Civil Service, simply in order that he might have money enough to marry
her. And during their short time together, they had probably been more
keenly alive to the depreciation of the rupee than to ideas of
England's imperial mission. But Herbert had done his duty, of course he
had. Once or twice as Miss Mallory talked the little widow's eyes filled
with tears again unseen. The Indian names Diana threw so proudly into
air were, for her companion, symbols of heart-break and death. But she
played her part; and her comments and interjections were all that was
necessary to keep the talk flowing.
In the midst of it voices were suddenly heard outside. Diana started.
"Carols!" she said, with flushing cheeks. "The first time I have heard
them in England itself!"
She flew to the hall, and threw the door open. A handful of children
appeared shouting "Good King Wenceslas" in a hideous variety of keys.
Miss Mallory heard them with enthusiasm; then turned to the butler
behind her.
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