inscriptions and even sitting on a grave stone under aweeping willow and letting her imagination roam. The graveyard at Satipur was especially evocative. Although Satipur had always been a small station for the British, quite a few of them had died there over the years; and bodies were also brought in from other districts with no Christian cemetery of their own. Most of the graves were of infants and children, but there were also several dating from the Mutiny when a gallant band of British officers had died defending their women and children. The newest grave was that of the Saundersâ baby, and the Italian angel was the newest, brightest monument.
The first time Olivia saw this babyâs grave, it had a powerful effect on her. That evening Douglas found her lying face down across their bed; she had not allowed the servants to come in and open the shutters, so the room was all closed in and stifling and Olivia herself bathed in tears and perspiration.
âOh Douglas,â she said, âwhat if we have a baby?â; and then she cried: âYes and what if it should die!â
It took him a long time to soothe her. He had to forget his files for that one evening and devote himself entirely to her. He said everything he could think of. He told her that nowadays babies did not die so often. He himself had been born in India, and his mother had had two other children here and all of them had thrived. It was true, in the old days a lot of children did die â his great-grandmother had lost five of her nine children; but that had been a long time ago.
âWhat about Mrs. Saundersâ baby?â
âThat could have happened anywhere, darling. She had â complications â or something ââ
âIâll have complications. Iâll die. The baby and I both.â When he tried to protest, she insisted: âNo, if we stay here,weâll die. I know it. Youâll see.â When she saw the expression on his face, she made an effort to pull herself together. She even tried to smile. She put up her hand to stroke his cheek: âBut you want to stay.â
He said eagerly âItâs just that itâs all new to you. Itâs easy for the rest of us because we all know what to expect. But you donât, my poor darling.â He kissed her as she lay there resting against his chest. âYou know, Iâd been talking about this very thing with Beth Crawford. (No, darling, you mustnât think that way about Beth, sheâs a good sort). She knew before you came how difficult it would be for you. And you know what she said after you came? She said she was sure that someone as sensitive and intelligent as you are â you see she does appreciate you, darling â that you would surely be . . . all right here. That you â well, this is what she said â that youâd come to feel about India the way we all do. Olivia? Are you asleep, darling?â
She wasnât really but she liked lying against his chest, both of them shrouded within their white mosquito net. The moon had risen from behind the peach tree and its light came pouring in through the open windows. When Douglas thought she was asleep, he hugged her tighter and could hardly stifle a small cry â as if it were too much happiness for him to have her there in his arms, flooded and shining in Indian moonlight.
Next day Olivia went to visit Mrs. Saunders. She took flowers, fruit, and a heart full of tender pity for her. But although Oliviaâs feelings towards Mrs. Saunders had changed, Mrs. Saunders herself had not. She was still the same unattractive woman lying in bed in a bleak, gloomy house. Olivia, always susceptible to atmosphere, had tostruggle against a feeling of distaste. She did so hate a slovenly house, and Mrs. Saundersâ house was very slovenly; so were her servants. No one bothered to put Oliviaâs pretty flowers in a vase â perhaps there was no vase? There