in high good-humour.

"Bobbachy," said he, "thou, too, must pardon me. A propos, I have
news for thee. Your wife, the incomparable Puttee Rooge" (white
and red rose), "has arrived in camp."

"My WIFE, my lord!" said I, aghast.

"Our daughter, the light of thine eyes! Go, my son; I see thou art
wild with joy. The Princess's tents are set up close by mine, and
I know thou longest to join her."

My wife? Here was a complication truly!



CHAPTER V: THE ISSUE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH MY WIFE



I found Puneeree Muckun, with the rest of my attendants, waiting at
the gate, and they immediately conducted me to my own tents in the
neighbourhood. I have been in many dangerous predicaments before
that time and since, but I don't care to deny that I felt in the
present instance such a throbbing of the heart as I never have
experienced when leading a forlorn hope, or marching up to a
battery.

As soon as I entered the tents a host of menials sprang forward,
some to ease me of my armour, some to offer me refreshments, some