The Elephant God

by Gordon Casserly

  CHAPTER XIII

  THE PLEASURE COLONY

  A town on the hill-tops; a town of clubs, churches, and hotels, of luxuryshops, of pretty villas set in lovely gardens bright with English flowersand shaded by great orchid-clad trees; of broad, well-kept roads--such isDarjeeling, seven thousand feet above the sea.

  At first sight there is nothing Oriental about it except the Gurkhapolicemen on point duty or the laughing groups of fair-skinned,rosy-cheeked Lepcha women that go chattering by him. But on one side thesteep hills are crowded with the confused jumble of houses in the nativebazaar, built higgledy-piggledy one on top of the other and lining thenarrow streets and lanes that are thronged all day by a bright-garbedmedley of Eastern races--Sikkimese, Bhuttias, Hindus, Tibetans, Lepchas.Set in a beautiful glen are the lovely Botanical Gardens, which lookdown past slopes trimly planted with rows of tea-bushes into the deepvalleys far below.

  As Noreen was borne along in her _dandy_ she thought that she had neverseen a more delightful spot. Everything and everyone attracted herattention--the scenery, the buildings, the varied folk that passed her onthe road, from well set-up British soldiers in red coats and white helmets,smartly-dressed ladies in rickshas, Englishmen in breeches and gaitersriding sleek-coated ponies, to yellow-gowned lamas and Lepcha girls withmassive silver necklaces and turquoise ornaments. She longed to turn herchair-coolies down the hill and begin at once the exploration of theattractive-looking native bazaar--until she reached the English shops withthe newest fashions of female wear from London and Paris, set out behindtheir plate-glass windows. Here she forgot the bazaar and would willinglyhave lingered to look, but Ida's _dandy_ kept steadily alongside hers andits occupant chattered incessantly of the many forth-coming socialgaieties, until they turned into the courtyard of their hotel and steppedout of their chairs.

  When Ida had shown her friend into the room reserved for her she said:

  "Take off your hat, dear, and let me see how you look after all theseyears. Why, you've grown into quite a pretty girl. What a nice colour yourhair is! Do you use anything for it? I don't remember its being as goldenas all that at school."

  The girl laughed and shook the sunlit waves of it down, for it had gotuntidy under her sun-hat.

  "No, Ida darling, of course I don't use anything. The colour is quitenatural, I assure you. Have you forgotten you used sometimes to call meGoldylocks at school?"

  "Did I? I don't remember. I say, Noreen, you're a lucky girl to have madesuch a hit straight away with Captain Charlesworth. He's quite the ragewith the women here."

  "Is he? Why?" asked the girl carelessly, pinning up her hair.

  "Why? My dear, he's the smartest man in a very smart regiment. Very welloff; has lots of money and a beautiful place at home, I believe. Comes froman excellent family. And then he's so handsome. Don't you think so?"

  "Yes; he's rather good-looking. But he struck me as being somewhatfoppish."

  "Oh, he's always beautifully dressed, if that's what you mean. You sawthat, even when he had just come off a train journey. He's a beautifuldancer. I'm so glad he asked me for a couple of dances at the L.G.'s ball.I'll see he doesn't forget them. I'll keep him up to his word, thoughBertie won't like it. He's fearfully jealous of me, but I don't care."

  "Bertie? Who is--? I thought that your husband's name was William?" saidNoreen wonderingly.

  Ida burst into a peal of laughter.

  "Good gracious, child! I'm not talking of my husband. Bill's hundreds ofmiles away, thank goodness! I wouldn't mind if he were thousands. No; I'mspeaking of Captain Bain, a great friend of mine from the Bombay side. He'sstationed in Poona, which is quite a jolly place in the Season, though ofcourse not a patch on this. But he got leave and came here because I did."

  "Oh, yes, I see," replied Noreen vaguely, puzzled by Ida's remark about herhusband. She had seen the Civil Servant at the wedding and remembered himas a stolid, middle-aged, and apparently uninteresting individual. But thegirl was still ignorant enough of life not to understand why a woman aftertwo years of marriage should be thankful that her husband was far away fromher and wish him farther.

  "But I'm not going to let Bertie monopolise me up here," continued Mrs.Smith, taking off her hat and pulling and patting her hair before themirror. "I like a change. I've come here to have a good time. I think I'llgo in and cut you out with Captain Charlesworth. He's awfully attractive."

  "You are quite welcome to him, dear," said the girl.

  "Oh, wait until you see the fuss the other women make of him. He's a greatcatch; and all the mothers here with marriageable daughters and the spinsthemselves are ready to scratch each other's eyes out over him."

  "Don't be uncharitable, Ida dearest."

  "It's a fact, darling. But I warn you that he's not a marrying man. He hasthe reputation of being a terrible flirt. I don't think you'll hold himlong. He's afraid of girls--afraid they'll try to catch him. He prefersmarried women. He knows we're safe."

  Noreen said nothing, but began to open and unpack her trunks. In India, theland of servants, where a bachelor officer has seven or more, a lady hasusually to do without a maid, for the _ayah_, or native female domestic, isgenerally a failure in that capacity. In the hotels Indian "boys" replacethe chambermaids of Europe.

  Ida rattled on.

  "Of course, Bertie's awfully useful. A tame cat--and he's a well-trainedone--is a handy thing to have about you, especially up here. You needsomeone to take you to races and gymkhanas and to fill up blanks on yourprogramme at dances, as well as getting your ricksha or _dandy_ for youwhen they're over."

  Noreen laughed, amused at the frankness of the statement.

  "And where is the redoubtable Captain Bain, dear?"

  "You'll see him soon. I let him off today until it's time for him to callto take us to the Amusement Club. He was anxious to see you. He wanted tocome with me to the station, but I said he'd only be in the way. I knewMiguel would be much more useful in getting your luggage. Bertie's so slow.Still, he's rather a dear. Remember, he's my property. You mustn't poach."

  Noreen laughed again and said:

  "If he admires you, dear, I'm sure no one could take him from you."

  "My dear girl, you never can trust any man," said her friend seriously.Then, glancing at herself in the mirror, she continued modestly:

  "I know I'm not bad-looking, and lots of men do admire me. Bertie says I'ma ripper."

  She certainly was decidedly pretty, though of a type of beauty that wouldfade early. Vain and empty-headed, she was, nevertheless, popular with theclass of men who are content with a shallow, silly woman with whom it iseasy to flirt. They described her as "good fun and not a bit strait-laced."Noreen knew nothing of this side of her friend, for she had not seen hersince her marriage, and honestly thought her beautiful and fascinating.

  Ida picked up her hat and parasol and said:

  "Now I'll leave you to get straight, darling child, and come back to youlater on."

  She looked into the glass again and went on:

  "It's so nice to have you here. A woman alone is rather out of it,especially if she comes from the other side of India and doesn't knowCalcutta people. Now it'll be all right when there are two of us. The catscan't say horrid things about me and Bertie--though it's only the oldfrumps that can't get a man who do. I _am_ glad you've come. We'll havesuch fun."

  * * * * *

  Captain Bain, a dapper little man, designed by Nature to be the "tame cat"of some married woman, was punctual when the time came to take the twoladies to the Amusement Club. Noreen had very dubiously donned her smartestfrock which, having just been taken out of a trunk after a long journey,seemed very crushed, creased, and dowdy compared with the freshness anddaintiness of Ida's _toilette._ Men as a rule understand nothing of theagonies endured by a woman who must face the unfriendly stares of otherwomen in a gown that she feels will invite pitiless criticism.

  But for the moment the girl forgot her worries as they turned o
ut of thehotel gate and reached the Chaurasta, the meeting of the "four-ways,"nearly as busy a cross-roads as (and infinitely more beautiful than) Carfaxat Oxford or the Quattro Canti in Palermo. To the east the hill ofJalapahar towered a thousand feet above Darjeeling, crowned with bungalowsand barracks. To the north the ground fell as sharply; and a thousand feetbelow Darjeeling lay Lebong, set out on a flattened hilltop. On three sidesof this military suburb the hill sloped steeply to the valleys below. Butbeyond them, tumbled mass upon mass, rose the great mountains barring theway to Sikkim and Tibet, towering to the clouds that hid the white summitsof the Eternal Snows.

  Bain walked his pony beside Noreen's chair and named the various points ofthe scenery around them. Then, when Noreen had inscribed her name in theVisitors' Book at Government House, they entered the Amusement Club.

  Noreen was overcome with shyness at finding herself, after her monthsof isolation, among scores of white folk, all strangers to her. Idaunconcernedly led the way into the large hall which was used as aroller-skating rink, along one side of which were set out dozens oflittle tables around which sat ladies in smart frocks that made the girlmore painfully conscious of what she considered to be the deficienciesof her own costume. She saw one or two of the women that had travelledup in the train that day stare at her and then lean forward and makesome remark about her to their companions at the table. She wasprofoundly thankful when the ordeal was over and, in Ida's wake, she hadgot out of the rink. Conscious only of the critical glances of her ownsex, she was not aware of the admiring looks cast at her by many men inthe groups around the tables.

  But later on in the evening she found herself seated at one of those sametables that an hour before had seemed to her a bench of stern judges. Sheformed one of a laughing, chattering group of Ida's acquaintances. More atease now, the girl watched the people around her with interest. For a yearshe had seen no larger gathering of her own race than the weekly meetingsat the planters' little club in the jungle, with the one exception of a_durbar_ at Jalpaiguri.

  Yet despite Ida's company she was feeling lonely and a little depressed, astranger in a crowd, when she saw Captain Charlesworth enter the rink,accompanied by another man. Recent as had been their meeting, he seemedquite an old friend among all these unknown people about her, and shealmost hoped that he would come and speak to her. He sauntered through thehall, bowing casually to many ladies, some of whom, the girl noticed, maderather obvious efforts to detain him. But he ignored them and lookedaround, as if in search of some particular person. Suddenly his eyes metNoreen's, and he promptly came straight to her table. He shook hands withMrs. Smith and bowed to the other ladies in the group, introduced hiscompanion, a new arrival to his battalion, and, securing a chair besideNoreen, plunged into a light and animated conversation with her. The girlcould not help feeling a little pleased when she saw the looks of surpriseand annoyance on the faces of some of the women at the other tables. ButCharlesworth was not allowed to have it all his own way with her. Bain andan Indian Army officer named Melville also claimed her attention. Theknowledge that we are appreciated tends to make most of us appear at ourbest, and Noreen soon forgot her shyness and loneliness and became herusual natural, bright self. Ida looked on indulgently and smiled at herpatronisingly, as though Noreen's little personal triumph were due to her.

  Noreen slept soundly that night, and although she had meant to get up earlyand see Kinchinjunga and the snows when the sun rose, it was late when herhostess came to her room. After breakfast Ida took her out shopping. Only awoman can realise what a delight it was to the girl, after being divorcedfor a whole year from the sight of shops and the possibility ofreplenishing her wardrobe, or purchasing the thousand little necessities ofthe female toilet, to enter milliners' and dressmakers' shops where thelatest, or very nearly the latest, _modes_ of the day in hats and gownswere to be seen.

  Charlesworth came to lunch in a smart riding-kit, looking particularlywell-groomed and handsome. The girl was quite excited about the gymkhana,and plied him with innumerable questions as to what she would have to do.She learned that they were to enter for two affinity events. In one ofthese the lady was to tilt with a billiard-cue at three suspended rings,while the man, carrying a spear and a sword, took a tent-peg with theformer, threw the lance away, cut off a Turk's head in wood with the sword,and then took another peg with the same weapon. The other competition wasnamed the Gretna Green Stakes, and in it the pair were to ride hand in handover three hurdles, dismount and sign their names in a book, then mountagain and return hand in hand over the jumps to the winning-post.

  The polo-ground at Lebong that afternoon presented an animated scene,filled with colour by the bright-hued garments of the thousands of nativespectators surrounding it, the uniforms of the British soldiers in thecrowd, and the frocks of the English ladies in the reserved enclosure,where in large white marquees the officers of Charlesworth's regiment actedas hosts to the European visitors. Down the precipitous road to it fromDarjeeling came swarms of mixed Eastern races in picturesque garb, Gurkhasoldiers in uniform, and British gunners from Jalapahar; and through thethrongs Englishmen on ponies, and _dandies_ and rickshas carrying ladies insmart summer frocks, could scarcely make their way.

  When Mrs. Smith's party reached the enclosure and shook hands with the wifeof the Colonel of the Rifles, who was the senior hostess, Noreen was nottroubled by the feeling of shyness that had assailed her at the Club on theprevious evening. She had the comforting knowledge that her habit and bootsfrom the best West End makers were beyond cavil. But she was too excited atthe thought of the approaching contests to think much of her appearance.Charlesworth took her to see the pony that she was to ride, and, as shepassed through the enclosure, she did not hear the admiring remarks of manyof the men and, indeed, of some of the women. For in India even anordinarily pretty girl will be thought beautiful, and Noreen was more thanordinarily pretty. Her mount she found to be a well-shaped, fourteen-twogrey Arab, with the perfect manners of his race; and she instantly lost herheart to him as he rubbed his velvety muzzle against her cheek.

  The gymkhana opened with men's competitions, the first event in whichladies were to take part, the Tilting and Tent-pegging, not occurring untilnearly half-way down the programme. Noreen was awaiting it too anxiously toenjoy, as she otherwise would, the novel scene, the gaiety, the band in theenclosure, the well-dressed throngs of English folk, the gaudy colours ofthe crowds squatting round the polo-ground and wondering at the strangediversions of the sahib-_logue_. Charlesworth did well in the men's event,securing two first prizes and a third, and Noreen could not help admiringhim in the saddle. He was a graceful as well as a good rider. Indeed, hewas No. 2 in the regimental polo team, which was one of the best in Indiaat the time.

  When the moment for their competition came at last and he swung herup into her saddle, Noreen's heart beat violently and her bridle-handshook. But when, after other couples had ridden the course, their nameswere called and a billiard-cue given her, the girl's nerves steadied atonce and she was perfectly cool as she reined back her impatient pony atthe starting-line. The signal was given, and she and her partner dasheddown the course at a gallop. They did well, Charlesworth securing thetwo pegs and cutting the Turk's head, while his affinity carried off tworings and touched the third. No others had been as fortunate, and cheersfrom the soldiers and plaudits from the enclosure greeted their success.Noreen was encouraged, and a becoming colour flushed her face at theapplause. The last couple to ride tied with them, the lady taking allthe rings, her partner getting the Turk's head and one peg and touchingthe second. The tie was run off at once. Noreen, to her delight, foundthe three rings on her cue when she pulled up at the end of the course,although she hardly remembered taking them, while Charlesworth had madeno mistake. Daunted by this result, their rivals lost their heads andmissed everything in their second run.

  Noreen, on her return to the enclosure, was again loudly cheered by themen, the applause of the ladies being noticeably fainter, possibly beca
usethey resented a new arrival's success. But the girl was too pleasantlysurprised at her good luck to observe this, and responded gratefully to thecongratulations showered on her. She was no longer too excited to noticeher surroundings, and now was able to enjoy the scenery, the music, the gaycrowds, the frocks, as well as her tea when Charlesworth escorted her tothe Mess Tent.

  In the Gretna Green Stakes she and her partner were not so fortunate. Overthe second hurdle in the run home Charlesworth's pony blundered badly andhe was forced to release his hold on the girl's hand. When the event camefor which he had originally requested her to nominate him, she suggestedthat he should ask Mrs. Smith to do so instead. He was skilled enough inthe ways of women not to demur, and he did as he was wanted so tactfullythat Ida believed it to be his own idea. So, when the gymkhana ended andNoreen and her chaperone said good-bye, he felt that he had advanced a gooddeal in the girl's favour.

  During the afternoon Noreen caught sight of Chunerbutty talking to a fatand sensual-looking native in white linen garments with a string ofroughly-cut but very large diamonds round his neck and several obsequioussatellites standing behind him. They were covertly watching her, but when,catching the engineer's eye, she bowed to him, the fat man leant forwardand stared boldly at her. She guessed him to be the Rajah of Lalpuri, whohad been pointed out to her once at the Lieutenant-Governor's _durbar_ atJalpaiguri.

  That evening a note from Chunerbutty, telling her that his father wasbetter though still in a precarious state, was left at her hotel. But theengineer did not call on her.

  The ball on the Thursday night at Government House was all that Noreenanticipated it would be. Among the hundreds of guests there were a fewIndian men of rank and a number of Parsis of both sexes--the women addingbright colours to the scene by the beautiful hues of their _saris_, as thesilk shawls worn over their heads are called. During the evening Noreen sawChunerbutty standing at the door of the ballroom with the fat man, who wasnow adorned with jewels and wearing a magnificent diamond _aigrette_ in his_puggri,_ and gloating with a lustful gaze over the bared necks and bosomsof the English ladies. The native of India, where the females of all racesveil their faces, looks on white women, who lavishly display their charmsto the eyes of all beholders, as immodest and immoral. And he judgesharshly the freedom--the sometimes extreme freedom--of intercourse betweenEnglish wives and men who are not their husbands.

  Later in the evening, when Noreen was sitting in the central lounge withCaptain Bain during an interval, Chunerbutty approached her with the fatman. Coming up to her alone the engineer said:

  "Miss Daleham, may I present His Highness the Rajah of Lalpuri to you?"

  Noreen felt Captain Bain stiffen, but she replied courteously:

  "Certainly, Mr. Chunerbutty."

  The Rajah stepped forward, and on being introduced held out a fat andflabby hand to her, speaking in stiff and stilted English, for he did notuse it with ease. He spoke only a few conventional sentences, but all thewhile Noreen felt an inward shiver of disgust. For his bloodshot eyesseemed to burn her bared flesh, as he devoured her naked shoulders andbreast with a hot and lascivious stare. After replying politely but brieflyto him she turned to the engineer and enquired after his father's health.The music beginning in the ball-room for the next dance gave her a welcomeexcuse for cutting the interview short, as Bain sprang up quickly andoffered her his arm. Bowing she moved away with relief.

  "I suppose that fellow in evening dress was the man from your garden, MissDaleham?" asked Bain, as they entered the ballroom.

  "Yes; that was Mr. Chunerbutty, who escorted me to Darjeeling," sheanswered.

  "Well, if he's a friend of your brother, he ought to know better than tointroduce that fat brute of a rajah to you."

  "Oh, he is staying at the Rajah's house here, as his father, who is ill, isin His Highness's service."

  "I don't care. That beast Lalpuri is a disreputable scoundrel. There areawful tales of his behaviour up here. It's a wonder that the L.G. doesn'torder him out of the place."

  "Really?"

  "Yes; he's a disgraceful blackguard. None of the other Rajahs of thePresidency will have anything to do with him, I believe; and the two orthree of them up here now who are really splendid fellows, refuse toacknowledge him. Everybody wonders why the Government of India allows himto remain on the _gadi_."

  The Rajah had watched Noreen with a hungry stare as she walked towards theballroom. When she was lost to sight in the crowd of dancers he turned toChunerbutty and seized his arm with a grip that made the engineer wince.

  "She is more beautiful than I thought," he muttered. "O you fools! Youfools, who have failed me! But I shall get her yet."

  He licked his dry lips and went on:

  "Let us go! Let us go from here! I am parched. I want liquor. I wantwomen."

  And they returned to a night of revolting debauchery in the house that washonoured by being the temporary residence of His Highness the Rajah ofLalpuri, wearer of an order bestowed upon him by the Viceroy and ruler ofthe fate of millions of people by the grace and under the benign auspicesof the Government of India.