a space of six months between them。 He waited。
The same iron rigidity； as if the world were made of steel；
possessed her again。 It was no use turning with flesh and blood
to this arrangement of forged metal。
Quickly； her imagination adjusted itself to the
situation。
〃Have you an appointment in India？〃 she asked。
〃Yes……I have just the six months' leave。〃
〃Will you like being out there？〃
〃I think so……there's a good deal of social life； and
plenty going on……hunting； polo……and always a good
horse……and plenty of work； any amount of work。〃
He was always side…tracking； always side…tracking his own
soul。 She could see him so well out there； in India……one of
the governing class； superimposed upon an old civilization； lord
and master of a clumsier civilization than his own。 It was his
choice。 He would bee again an aristocrat； invested with
authority and responsibility； having a great helpless populace
beneath him。 One of the ruling class； his whole being would be
given over to the fulfilling and the executing of the better
idea of the state。 And in India； there would be real work to do。
The country did need the civilization which he himself
represented： it did need his roads and bridges； and the
enlightenment of which he was part。 He would go to India。 But
that was not her road。
Yet she loved him； the body of him