第75章

After dinner Elizabeth seated herself at the piano, and it did Heideck good to find that Edith had a pleasant and well-trained alto voice.She sang some melancholy English and Scotch songs.

"I have never sung since I left England," she said, greatly moved.

Heideck had listened to the music with rapture.After the fearful scenes of recent times the melodies affected him so deeply that his eyes filled with tears.It was not only the music that affected him, but Edith's soul, which spoke through it.

"What are you thinking of doing, Mr.Kennedy?" he asked the old gentleman."Shall you remain in Simla and keep Mrs.Irwin with you?""I have thought it over," he replied."I shall not stay here.Ishall go to Calcutta, if I can.It is my duty to be at my post there.""But how do you intend to travel? The railways still in existence have been seized for the exclusive use of the army.Remember that you would have to pass both armies, the Russian and the English.

You would have to go from Kalka to Ambala, and thence to Delhi.""If I could get a passport, I could travel post to Delhi, where Ishould be with the English army.Can you get me a passport?""I will try.Possibly Prince Tchajawadse may be persuaded to let me have one.I will point out to him that you are civilian officials.".......

Prince Tchajawadse most emphatically refused to make out the passport for Mr.Kennedy and his family.

"I am very sorry, my friend," said he, "but it is simply impossible.The Judge-Advocate-General is a very high official; Icannot allow him to go to the English headquarters and give information as to what is going on here.The authorities would justly put a very bad construction upon such ill-timed amiability, and I should not like to obliterate the good impression which the success of the expedition to Simla has made upon my superiors by an unpardonable act of folly on my own part."Heideck saw that any attempt at persuasion would be useless in the face of the Prince's determination.He therefore acquainted Mr.

Kennedy with the failure of his efforts, at the same expressing his sincere regret.

"Then I shall try to return to England," said the old gentleman, with a sigh."Please ask the Prince if he has any objection to my making my way by the shortest road to Karachi? Perhaps he will let me have a passport for this route."Prince Tchajawadse was quite ready to accede to this request.

"The ladies and gentlemen can travel where they please in the rear of the Russian army, for all I care," he declared."There is not the least occasion for me to treat the worthy old gentleman as a prisoner."On the same day Heideck had a serious conversation with Edith about her immediate future.He inquired what her wishes and plans were, but she clung to him tenderly and whispered, "My only wish is to stay with you, my only plan is to make you happy."Kissing her tender lips, which could utter such entrancing words, he said, deeply moved: "Well, then, I propose that we travel together to Karachi.I am resolved to quit the Russian service and endeavour to return to Germany.But could you induce yourself to follow me to my country, the land of your present enemies?""My home is with you.Suppose that we were to make a home here in Simla, I should be ready, and only too glad to live here for the rest of my life.Take me to Germany or Siberia, and I will follow you--it is all the same to me, if only I am not obliged to leave you."For a moment Heideck was pained to think that she had no word of attachment for her country; but he had already learnt not to measure her by the standard of the other women whom he had hitherto met on his life's journey, and it ill became him to reproach her for this want of patriotism.

"Mr.Kennedy has assured me that he is ready to take you under his protection during the journey," said he."I will speak to the Prince again to-day, and, as he has no right to detain me, it will be possible for me, as I confidently hope, to start with you for Karachi.""But I shall only accept the Kennedys' offer if you go with us,"declared Edith in a tone of decision, which left no doubt as to her unshakable resolution.

As a matter of fact, Prince Tchajawadse put no difficulties in his way.

"I sincerely regret to lose you again so soon," he declared, "but it is for you alone to decide whether you go or stay.It was arranged beforehand that you could leave the Russian service as soon as it became worth your while.Women are, after all, the controlling spirits of our lives."Of course the Prince had long since been aware that the Kennedys'

visitor was Edith Irwin, but this was the first time he had alluded to his German friend's love affair.

As if he felt bound to defend himself against a humiliating reproach, Heideck hastened to reply.

"You misunderstand my motives.It is my duty as a soldier which summons me first of all.Hitherto I have had no prospect of getting a passage on an English steamer.But, in the company of Mr.Kennedy, and on his recommendation, I have hopes that it will not be refused me.""Pardon me.I never for a moment doubted your patriotic sense of duty, and I wish you from my heart a happy voyage home.Of course, notwithstanding the alliance of our nations, it is not the same to you, whether you fight in the ranks of the Russian or the German army.And if the prospect of travelling in such pleasant society has finally decided you, you have, in my opinion, no reason at all to be ashamed of it.Certainly, for my own part, I am convinced that it is better, for a soldier to make the female element play as subordinate a role as possible in his life.He ought to do like most of my countrymen, and get a wife who will not resent being thrashed, with or without cause.It may be that I am mistaken on this point, and I have been severely punished for it."His countenance had suddenly become very grave, and as he could only be alluding to his lost page, Heideck thought he might at last venture to ask a question as to the whereabouts of the Circassian.

But the Prince shook his head deprecatingly.