Part 50 (1/2)

”Yes--so weak and ignorant. He doesn't know you as I do.”

”No,” said d.i.c.k dryly.

”I'm getting horribly jealous.”

”You look it,” said d.i.c.k frankly.

It was a week after the alarm, and, though there was not the slightest trace to be found outside the old palace walls, a couple of sentries were placed on duty on the roof every night, while for further safety an extra sentry was stationed at the gates.

The whole of the officers now took the precaution of having loaded pistols within reach, and a certain amount of nervousness, a feeling of insecurity, slightly marred their sleep. But after six nights without being disturbed, they began to grow more careless, and to feel that such an adventure was not likely to occur again.

Being now much better, Hulton accepted an invitation from the Rajah for him and the doctor to dine at the palace, where, for the first time, d.i.c.k had the pleasure of seeing the queen-mother--a great favour, to be duly appreciated.

The young officer was ushered into the queen's apartments by the Rajah himself, and found her a handsome, graceful, stately lady of forty, who spoke fair English and received him with grave dignity, if she felt the condescension she was showing to the youth whom her son delighted to honour, by offering him her hand to kiss, examining his countenance searchingly the while.

She was not alone, for d.i.c.k's friend, the elderly Brahmin, was standing by, ready to greet him with a smile; while a bevy of her highness's ladies stood back, closely veiled, and all in simple white silk costumes, affording a strange contrast to their mistress, who was literally ablaze with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

The interview was short, and the Rajah led his young English friend back to where the others were waiting.

”I want my mother to know more of what the English are, Darrell,” he said. ”I want her to like you, and as she comes to know you better, I feel that her bitter prejudices will soften down, and she will begin to like others.”

He referred to this again and again in the course of the evening, and spoke apologetically to Hulton and the doctor about the matter.

”You see,” he said, ”that it is a matter of time, and it was the utmost that my mother would concede at first. After a time I hope she will often meet you, too, as her friends.”

The visit was short on account of the invalids, but it was made very pleasant by the Rajah's courteous attentions; and on his return to quarters, and having a chat with Wyatt, telling him all the proceedings of the evening, and describing in particular his audience with the Ranee, d.i.c.k was in the highest of spirits, giving it as his opinion that the enmity was dying out fast.

”I believe the Brahmin councillor and the old Wazir mean to be the best of friends now.”

”Do you?” said Wyatt dryly.

”Yes, and you don't. But wait a bit. The Rajah will be asking you again soon, and then you'll see how differently they'll behave.”

”You seem to have been drinking of the Rajah's wine of forgetfulness, my son,” said Wyatt, ”and when the wine's in the wit's out.”

”Oh, is it?” said d.i.c.k. ”Well, I must have a very small amount of wit, then, for one little gla.s.s of that sweet sugar-and-watery stuff to have driven it out. It's all light, I tell you; and the Wazir asked me how soon the drill-officers, as he called them, would be here.”

”And you couldn't tell him,” said Wyatt.

”I said very soon.”

”Then, now, let's go to bed.”

”What a hurry you're in!”

”Yes, my son. While you were feasting your eyes on the Ranee's jewels, and kissing her hand before feasting in a more worldly way with the Rajah, I was slaving like a n.i.g.g.e.r, and I want to sleep.”

”Yes, it does seem too bad to be going out like this and leaving you at work. I thought about you ever so many times.”

”Did you?” said Wyatt, smiling and looking less grim.