I go home for my daughter's
sake; it's no place for her out here," he sternly said. "You know
what Indian life is?"
Hawke bowed, and mutely cried, "Peccavi." He had been a part of it.
"I'm waiting for the action of the Government. This Baronetcy. I
must talk with you about it. I might have had the Star of India.
You see, it's an empty honor. And I hate to break away for good,
after all. Do you know anything from Anstruther? He was up here,
you know."
"I have him now!" secretly exulted Hawke, as he said gravely, "You
know what duty is, I cannot speak as yet, but you can depend on me
as soon as my honor will permit--"
"Yes, yes, I know," said Hugh Johnstone, with a sigh, rising from
the table. "You must make yourself at home here. In fact, I am
thinking of sending my daughter back to Europe. Douglas Fraser can
have them well bestowed; that is, if I have to remain and fight out
this Baronetcy affair, then I could put you up here." Alan Hawke
bowed his thanks.
They had wandered back to the reception-room. With an affected surprise
the Major consulted his watch. "By Jove! I've got a heavy official
mail to prepare, and I'm to dine to-day with Harry Hardwicke, of
the Engineers. General Willoughby wants a private conference with
me, and Hardwicke is the only confidential man he has. He gets his
Majority soon, and Willoughby will lose him on promotion. A fine
fellow and a rising man.
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