第37章
Had we gone to Quetta, then, as soon as our army had crossed the frontier, you would have been easily able to find another place;but if the battle takes place on Indian soil you will find yourself in constant danger.""In my quality as foreigner? Certainly.I should, under the circumstances, be exposed to much unpleasantness, but before Ichange my plans, I should like to hear from you if you, too, intend to remain with the troops under these altered conditions?""Since Mrs.Baird has given me permission to accompany her, yes.""And you believe that I shall show less courage than you, who will also certainly be exposed to serious risks?""How could I doubt your courage, Mr.Heideck? But that is, after all, something quite different.The place of us soldiers' wives is at the side of our husbands, whom we have followed to India.And, moreover, we are, perhaps, nowhere safer than with the army.But you have no concern with this war and with our army.If you, now, were to leave here to take up your quarters in one of the hill stations far from the seat of war, and where you were not exposed to the risks of battle and the plague, you would be certainly allowed, as a German merchant, to remain there unmolested.""And why do you not yourself go to such a hill station, Mrs.Irwin?
I should suggest Simla, if it were not so near to the seat of war.
But do, pray, go to Poona, or into one of the other mountain stations in the south."The young lady shook her head.
"I expect that that would be going straight to destruction.""And what, may I ask, makes you think this?""I have already told you that in case of war English women are, here in India, only tolerably safe when in the immediate neighbourhood of soldiers.If we were to be defeated, the revenge the people would take on its oppressors would be terrible.Are you aware of the cruel instincts which slumber in these men, apparently so polite and submissive? The defenceless women and children would, without doubt, be their first victims.It was so in the Mutiny of 1857, and so it will be again under similar conditions.
Nana Sahib and his crew wallowed at that time in the fiendish tortures of white women and children, and shed streams of innocent blood.And the civilisation of the lower classes has certainly since then not improved.""You speak as if you considered a defeat of your army probable.""I cannot get rid of my melancholy forebodings.And you, yourself, Mr.Heideck--please be straightforward with me! When the adjutant was standing there a little while ago, and when every one of his words showed the want of circumspection in our generals, I watched your face, and I read more from its expression than you have any idea of.I will not try to enter into your secrets, but I should be grateful if you would be candid with me.You are not the person for whom you here give yourself out."He did not hesitate for a moment to confess to her the truth.
"No, I am a German officer, and have been sent here by my superiors to study the Anglo-Indian army."Edith's surprise was evidently not great.
"I had an inkling of it.And now please answer my question quite as straightforwardly.Do you believe that the British army will be victorious?""I would not permit myself to give an opinion on this point, Mrs.
Irwin."
"But you must have an idea.And I would give a great deal to know what it is.""Well, then--I believe in English bravery, but not in English victory."She heaved a deep sigh, but she nodded her head in assent, as if he had only expressed her own conviction.Then she gave him her hand and said softly--"I thank you for your confidence, and as a matter of course no one shall ever learn from me who you are.But now I must insist more than ever that you leave us for your own safety's sake."1
Would you be angry with me? Would you no longer permit me to enjoy the happiness of your society?"Her breast heaved, but she bowed her head and was silent.Heideck plainly saw the glistening tears which stole from under her eyelids, and slowly rolled down her delicate cheek.
That was answer enough for him.He bowed, and kissing both her hands, whispered--"I knew that you would not be so cruel as to drive me from you.
Wherever fate may lead me, it will find me at your side as long as you require my protection."For a few seconds she let him keep her hand.She then gently withdrew it from his grasp.
"I know that I ought to forbid you for your own safety to follow me; but I have not the strength to do so.Heaven grant that you may never reproach me for having acted as I have done."