already July。 In early September he must sail for India。 He
could not bear to think of going alone。 She must e with him。
Nervously； he kept beside her。
Her examination was finished； her college career was over。
There remained for her now to marry or to work again。 She
applied for no post。 It was concluded she would marry。 India
tempted her……the strange； strange land。 But with the
thought of Calcutta； or Bombay； or of Simla； and of the European
population； India was no more attractive to her than
Nottingham。
She had failed in her examination： she had gone down： she had
not taken her degree。 It was a blow to her。 It hardened her
soul。
〃It doesn't matter；〃 he said。 〃What are the odds； whether you
are a Bachelor of Arts or not； according to the London
University？ All you know； you know； and if you are Mrs。
Skrebensky； the B。A。 is meaningless。〃
Instead of consoling her； this made her harder； more
ruthless。 She was now up against her own fate。 It was for her to
choose between being Mrs。 Skrebensky； even Baroness Skrebensky；
wife of a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers； the Sappers； as he
called them； living with the European population in
India……or being Ursula Brangwen； spinster； school…mistress。
She was qualified by her Intermediate Arts examination。 She
would probably even now get a post quite easily as assista