conversation to ask Edith, in a low voice--

"Not only political considerations, but also your wishes, have
prevented the Colonel from reporting the outrage of the other night to
Calcutta--is it not so?"

"Yes, I begged him not to do so," she answered in the same low whisper.
"But to-day, after the abominable plot upon his life, I told him that
I do not ask any longer for any consideration to be shown me, or
my--husband."

"You seriously think it possible that Captain Irwin--"

"Pray do not let us talk about it now, and not here, Mr. Heideck," she
begged, raising her eyes to him imploringly. "You cannot have any idea
how terribly I suffer from these dreadful thoughts. I feel as if before
me lay only dark, impenetrable night. And when I reflect that some day I
may be again forced--"

She did not finish her sentence, but Heideck knew well enough what she
had omitted to say. An irresistible impulse made him answer--

"You must not allow yourself to be driven to take any course repugnant
to your heart, Mrs. Irwin. And who is there who would dare to attempt to
force you?"

"Oh, Mr. Heideck, you have no idea what regard for so-called 'GOOD FORM'
means for us English people. No scandal--for Heaven's sake, no scandal!
That is the first and prime law of our Society. Kind as the Colonel and
his wife have been to me until now, I am very much afraid they would