Because she was no longer hungry, she could appreciate the subtlety of a word, of a turn of phrase and concentrate on the Marquis and his friend without her mind slipping away as it would have done a few days ago.
Sometimes they talked to her, but more often they appeared to forget that she was with them.
They discussed sport or their acquaintances with the freedom of two men who were so close to each other that much of what they said had no need for elaboration.
Peregrine talked to the Marquis of his chances of winning the Gold Cup at Ascot. Then he asked as if he suddenly remembered Kistna’s presence,
“Are you fond of horses?”
“I love them!” Kistna replied. “But I have never had a chance of riding the sort of horses you are talking about. All we could afford in India were the small-
