But his reproaches became doubly poignant now.

She had been eight years in India, tied to this brute! But Stella Ballantyne mastered herself with a laugh.
"However I am not alone in that," she said lightly.

"And how's London ?" It was unfortunate that just at this moment Captain Ballantyne woke up.
"Eh what!" he exclaimed in a mock surprise.

"You were talking, Stella, were you?
It must have been something extraordinarily interesting that you were saying.

Do let me hear it." At once Stella shrank.