I am merely trying to arrive at the lady's
character for my own guidance. I rather like her, poor little thing.
Don't I tell you she will do? So far from objecting to her, I mean to go
the round of India with her."
"You have decided quickly."
"Well, you see, if you insist upon accompanying me, I MUST have a
chaperon; and Lady Meadowcroft will do as well as anybody else. In fact,
being be-ladied, she will do a little better, from the point of view
of Society, though THAT is a detail. The great matter is to fix upon a
possible chaperon at once, and get her well in hand before we arrive at
Bombay."
"But she seems so complaining!" I interposed. "I'm afraid, if you take
her on, you'll get terribly bored with her."
"If SHE takes ME on, you mean. She's not a lady's-maid, though I intend
to go with her; and she may as well give in first as last, for I'm
going. Now see how nice I am to you, sir! I've provided you, too, with
a post in her suite, as you WILL come with me. No, never mind asking me
what it is just yet; all things come to him who waits; and if you will
only accept the post of waiter, I mean all things to come to you."
"All things, Hilda?" I asked, meaningly, with a little tremor of
delight.
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