The nails dug into
it as if it were someone else's.
Half an hour later, as we were on deck in the cool of the evening, the
thing was settled. "My wife," Sir Ivor said, coming up to us with a
serious face, "has delivered her ultimatum. Positively her ultimatum.
I've had a mort o' trouble with her, and now she's settled. EITHER, she
goes back from Bombay by the return steamer; OR ELSE--you and Miss
Wade must name your own terms to accompany us on our tour, in case of
emergencies." He glanced wistfully at Hilda. "DO you think you can help
us?"
Hilda made no hypocritical pretence of hanging back. Her nature was
transparent. "If you wish it, yes," she answered, shaking hands upon the
bargain. "I only want to go about and see India; I can see it quite
as well with Lady Meadowcroft as without her--and even better. It is
unpleasant for a woman to travel unattached. I require a chaperon, and
am glad to find one. I will join your party, paying my own hotel and
travelling expenses, and considering myself as engaged in case your wife
should need my services. For that, you can pay me, if you like, some
nominal retaining fee--five pounds or anything.
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