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Contents ( 64)
  1. Allan Mallinson
  2. CONTENTS
  3. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  4. Note on Orthography
  5. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT, 1833
  6. PART ONE
  7. I
  8. Thugs
  9. II
  10. Words of Command
  11. III
  12. ‘Progress’
  13. IV
  14. The Ways of Nature
  15. V
  16. The Penalty of Death
  17. VI
  18. La Longue Carabine
  19. VII
  20. Major Sleeman
  21. VIII
  22. Salvete et Vale
  23. IX
  24. Council of War
  25. X
  26. The Distaff Side
  27. PART TWO
  28. XI
  29. Ghufoor Khan
  30. XII
  31. And All His Pretty Ones
  32. XIII
  33. The Deceiver
  34. XIV
  35. Prudential Judgement
  36. XV
  37. Diplomacy
  38. PART THREE
  39. XVI
  40. A Nine-Gun State
  41. XVII
  42. The First Spear
  43. XVIII
  44. The Tamasha
  45. XIX
  46. The Fatal Gift of Beauty
  47. XX
  48. The Chintal Field Force
  49. XXI
  50. Imperious Duty
  51. XXII
  52. A Few Honest Men
  53. XXIII
  54. The General’s Art
  55. XXIV
  56. Fire and Manoeuvre
  57. XXV
  58. The Race to the Quick
  59. XXVI
  60. The Walls of Jericho
  61. XXVII
  62. The Fruits of Victory
  63. HISTORICAL AFTERNOTE
  64. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

IV

The Ways of Nature

That afternoon

‘Why, Miss Gildea, whatever is the matter?’

Tears filled Annie’s eyes and ran down her cheeks. She made to rise as Georgiana came in.

‘No, please don’t get up. Whatever can have caused you to cry so?’

Georgiana pulled up a chair and sat beside her. The nursery was quiet at this time. The infant Hervey slept, Allegra took her afternoon rest, and the work of the servants ceased for an hour or so. Annie herself used the time to read, or to write her diary or a letter home.

‘Oh, Miss Hervey, it’s my brother. He is dead.’

Georgiana took her hand. ‘Annie, I’m so sorry— Oh, forgive me: Miss Gildea. Your brother here in India? How so?’

‘Yes; I have no other.’ Annie reached for the letter she’d not long laid aside on the little table next to her chair. ‘I wrote to him three months ago – it went with the post from the Fort – and today there came this from his captain.’ She handed it to her:

The Infantry Barracks,

Agra,

September 23rd 1834

Dear Madam,


I much regret to have to inform you of the death of your brother Private Thomas Gildea, who departed this life on July 6th after being seized by an illness. He was buried with military honours in the garrison cemetery, and his grave marked by a stone of regimental pattern. His personal effects were sent to his father in England together with a sum of money raised by sale of his necessaries and perishables among his comrades, as is the custom.

I may tell you that your brother was held in high regard by his officers. All in the company feel keenly his loss.

I am so very sorry to have to convey this news to you. If there be anything further that I may tell you for your comfort then I beg you only to inquire.


I am, madam, your obedient servant,

Robert Pattisson,

Captain, No. 3 Company,

13th (1st Somersetshire) Regiment (Light Infantry)

‘It is indeed a sad letter, but a handsome one too,’ said Georgiana, giving it her back.

‘It is, Miss Hervey, but I wish I might know what was his illness. Perhaps his captain wishes to spare me distress, but I’m sure I’ll keep thinking on what it may have been.’

‘I pray you don’t. His suffering, whatever suffering there was, is at an end. He is with God, and he would not wish you in anguish.’

Annie nodded, and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. She folded the letter, put it aside and stood up in a determined way, brushing the creases from her skirt. ‘I must make ready for Miss Allegra’s walk.’

‘Of course. I would come with you, but my lesson with the baboo …’

Annie smiled. ‘I wish Bunda Ali were back. He is so fine a teacher. It is strange there is no word.’