The doctor, however, had not yet returned from his hospital.

Wilhelm soon found the inmates of his friend's household, an old Indian man-servant and a housekeeper, also an Indian of about thirty-five, with a yellow face already wrinkled and withered, large dark eyes, and a gold-piece hanging from her nostrils.

The old man maintained a respectful attitude toward her, which pointed to a great difference of caste between them.
The woman showed by her small hands and feet, and the nobility of her expression, the modest and yet dignified character of a lady, rather than of a person in a subordinate position.

Both wore Indian dress, and attracted great attention when they showed themselves in the street.
They hardly ever went out, however, and were always busily employed in service for Dr.Schrotter, to whom they were very devoted.
The old man, who spoke a little English, opened the door to him, and told him that Schrotter Sahib would soon be in.

The woman also appeared, and beckoned to him to go and wait in the drawing-room, opening the door as she did so.