and memory passed in one pulsation through my own - and you may say

I started back as though an open hole had gaped across a pathway.

Mr. Alexander: there was the weak point, there was the Eve in our

perishable paradise; and the serpent was already hissing on the

trail.

I promise you, I went the more heartily about the preparations; my

last scruple gone, the danger of delay written before me in huge

characters. From that moment forth I seem not to have sat down or

breathed. Now I would be at my post with the Master and his

Indian; now in the garret, buckling a valise; now sending forth

Macconochie by the side postern and the wood-path to bear it to the

trysting-place; and, again, snatching some words of counsel with my

lady. This was the VERSO of our life in Durrisdeer that day; but

on the RECTO all appeared quite settled, as of a family at home in

its paternal seat; and what perturbation may have been observable,

the Master would set down to the blow of his unlooked-for coming,

and the fear he was accustomed to inspire.

Supper went creditably off, cold salutations passed and the company

trooped to their respective chambers. I attended the Master to the

last. We had put him next door to his Indian, in the north wing;

because that was the most distant and could be severed from the

body of the house with doors. I saw he was a kind friend or a good

master (whichever it was) to his Secundra Dass - seeing to his

comfort; mending the fire with his own hand, for the Indian

complained of cold; inquiring as to the rice on which the stranger

made his diet; talking with him pleasantly in the Hindustanee,

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