That it will ever receive credence I utterly disbelieve. Two months
ago I should have scouted as mad or drunk the man who had dared tell me the
like. Two months ago I was the happiest man in India. Today, from Peshawur to
the sea, there is no one more wretched. My doctor and I are the only two who
know this. His explanation is, that my brain, digestion, and eyesight are all
slightly affected; giving rise to my frequent and persistent "delusions."
Delusions, indeed! I call him a fool; but he attends me still with the same
unwearied smile, the same bland professional manner, the same neatly trimmed
red whiskers, till I begin to suspect that I am an ungrateful, evil-tempered
invalid. But you shall judge for yourselves.
Three years ago it was my fortune--my great misfortune--to sail from Gravesend
to Bombay, on return from long leave, with one Agnes Keith-Wessington, wife of
an officer on the Bombay side. It does not in the least concern you to know
what manner of woman she was. Be content with the knowledge that, ere the
voyage had ended, both she and I were desperately and unreasoningly in love
with one another. Heaven knows that I can make the admission now without one
particle of vanity. In matters of this sort there is always one who gives and
another who accepts.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172