The Lamp in the Desert

est chair in Mrs. Ralston's drawing-room with a cigarette between her fingers. A very deci

ver have," Mrs. Ralston assured her, without lifting her e

widows. They are either so melancholy that they give you the hump or so self-important that y

her, dear," sa

"there are at least two points of view to everybody. You, dear Mrs. Ralston, always wear rose-coloured sp

ace flushed faintly. S

er eyes fixed upon space; then very suddenly she spok

She looked up for the first time. "Really, m

der? Nothing could be more extraordinary than his death. Either he jumped over

s volatile friend of hers. "It is more than foolish," she said with decision; "it is wicked, to talk like that. I w

ity. You shall see how generous I can be to my supplanter. But do like a good soul finish those tiresome tucks before you begin to be really cross with me! Poor little Tessa really needs that frock, and ayah is suc

e for will make the smallest difference to my friendship for you! I hope to see as much of you and little Tessa as I

it? Look at that hateful child, Cedric Burton-detestable little ape! That Burton complacency gets on my nerves, especially

ue-your tongue!" pr

h it? It's quite a candid one-like your own. A little more pointed perhaps and something v

ith ready kindliness. "But, oh, my dear,

t's! I never saw her look more aristocratically hideous in my life than she looked at the Rajah's garden-party yesterday. I felt quite sorry for the Rajah, for he's a nice boy notwithstanding his forty wives, and he likes p

and unfailingly conscientious, she made a gallant effort. "Do you think you ought to do that, dear? I always think that we ought to live more circumspectly here a

chard! Why, it's half the fun in life to make him mad. He n

Mrs. Ralston, with downright

should either worship him or loath him afterwards. I wonder which. Poor old Richard! It's silly of

uld think more of him," remarked Mrs. Ralst

ainly should. He's cheap now, poor old boy. That's why I lead him such a dog's life. A man should never be cheap to hi

hone. She looked almost young again. "We

othing for the moment. In her own fashion she was fond of the su

s one thing about Stella; she won't be wanting many clothes, so I shall be able to retain your undivided attention in that respec

irl," she said, "though you don't realize it, and probably never w

very high on her visiting list. But I hardly ever take her anywhere. She is always so naughty with me." She chose anoth

"I wish he could have got longer leave. I

crificing that rose-leaf complexion," rejoined Mrs. Ermsted, shutting

ve his post," said Mrs. Ralston. "Tha

oman, notwithstanding appearances." She glanced at the watch on her wrist. "By Jove, how late it is! Your latest protégée w

esponded Mrs. Ralston tranquilly. "All

a ministering angel, faithful friend, and priceless counsellor, all combined. I laugh at you for a fr

dear," said

e been compassionate if it had not been so unmistakably humorous. She did not attempt to make the embrace

d aloud, as she sped away in her "rickshaw." "She is a quaint

issed Mrs. Ralston and all discreet counsels to the limbo of forgotten things. She had dubbed the Rajah her Arabian Knigh