The
first person they saw was the Traveler.
"Well met!" he cried gaily, as they shook hands with the cordiality of
old friends. "You've been visiting false gods, I see."
"Yes, and where have you strayed from?" returned the captain, trying to
throw off disagreeable impressions.
The Traveler mentioned a resort further on, at which the launch also
stopped for passengers, and Hope, rallying a little, remarked,
"It's odd enough! We supposed almost everybody was going on from
Bombay, and we would be the only ones left, but they all seem to
linger, and appear in the most unexpected places."
"That's a way we have in Bombay," laughed the gentleman. "But I really
have a good reason--a delay in the preparation of my outfit. I left my
card for you this morning, with my final farewell pencilled upon it,
for I expect to leave before dark. Meanwhile, have you seen Lady
Moreham?"
"No, not since we landed. She is one who has seemed to drop out of
sight most unaccountably."
"I did not suppose you had, for she and Mrs. Poinsett left very
hurriedly last night."
"Indeed! For where?"
"Delhi, at first. The fact is, she joins her husband there--a friend
of my own, by the way. A telegram from him hastened her going, and one
of my reasons for calling was to give you her adieux, and all sorts of
kind messages. I also left a letter from her to the Misses Hosmer at
your rooms."
"A letter for us--how charming!" cried Faith, while Hope nodded
vigorously.
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