They may have
said more unpleasant things, but I did not hear them, or of them.
All the time I was conscious of a kind of dishonour, and perhaps it was
that which prompted me (I had fallen away from my intention of visiting
him freely) to send my steward to see how Boyd Madras came on, rather
than go myself. I was, however, conscious that the position could
not--should not--be maintained long. The practical outcome of this
knowledge was not tardy. A new influence came into my life which was to
affect it permanently: but not without a struggle.
A series of concerts and lectures had been arranged for the voyage, and
the fancy-dress ball was to close the first part of the journey--that is,
at Aden. One night a concert was on in the music saloon. I had just come
from seeing a couple of passengers who had been suffering from the heat,
and was debating whether to find Mrs. Falchion, who, I knew, was on the
other side of the deck, go in to the concert, or join Colonel Ryder and
Clovelly, who had asked me to come to the smoking-room when I could. I am
afraid I was balancing heavily in favour of Mrs.
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