Up to that moment, I give you my
word, we had completely forgotten so trivial a matter. To Hamilton's we
accordingly went on the 15th of April, 1885. Remember that--whatever my doctor
may say to the contrary--I was then in perfect health, enjoying a well-
balanced mind and an absolute tranquil spirit. Kitty and I entered Hamilton's
shop together, and there, regardless of the order of affairs, I measured Kitty
for the ring in the presence of the amused assistant. The ring was a sapphire
with two diamonds. We then rode out down the slope that leads to the
Combermere Bridge and Peliti's shop.
While my Waler was cautiously feeling his way over the loose shale, and Kitty
was laughing and chattering at my side--while all Simla, that is to say as
much of it as had then come from the Plains, was grouped round the Reading-
room and Peliti's veranda,--I was aware that some one, apparently at a vast
distance, was calling me by my Christian name. It struck me that I had heard
the voice before, but when and where I could not at once determine. In the
short space it took to cover the road between the path from Hamilton's shop
and the first plank of the Combermere Bridge I had thought over half a dozen
people who might have committed such a solecism, and had eventually decided
that it must have been singing in my ears.
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