und, we would
still defend the place to the last."

"I am aware that your people are brave, Rajah. They fought well,
indeed; and if Holkar's troops had fought as stoutly, the result
might have been different."

The rajah again sat in thought for some time, then he said:

"I do not wish to treat you harshly. I can honour brave men, even
when they are enemies. You will have an apartment assigned to you
here, and be treated as my guest; only, do not venture to leave the
palace--at least, unless you leave it with me. There are many who
have lost friends at Deeg, many who may lose their lives before
your army retires, and I could not answer for your safety. Would
you like this native officer to be with you?"

"I should esteem it a great favour, Rajah. He has been with me for
several years, and I regard him as a friend. Thank you, also, for
your courtesy to me."

"You will give your promise not to try to escape?"

As Harry believed that, in the course of a short time, the British
would be masters of the town, he assented without hesitation.

The rajah looked pleased.

"You need be under no uneasiness as to your troopers. They will, of
course, be in confinement but, beyond that, they shall have no
reason to complain of their treatment."

The rajah said a few words to one of his attendants, who at once
motioned to Harry and Abdool to follow him. Harry bowed to the
rajah and, with Abdool, followed the attendant. He was taken to a
commodious chamber. The walls and divans were of white marble; and
the floor was paved with the same material, but in two colours. The
framework of the window was elaborately carved, and it was evident
that the room was, at ordinary times, used as a guest chamber.

The attendant left them, for a few minutes.

"This is better than I had even hoped for, Abdool. There can be no
doubt that the rajah, though he put a good face on it, is
desperately anxious; and behaves to us in this way, in hopes that
he may finally obtain better terms than he otherwise would do, by
his good treatment of us."

"He looks honest and straightforward, sahib. 'Tis strange that he
should have behaved so treacherously, just after the Company had
granted him an increase of territory."

"We must make some allowances for him. No doubt, like all the
Indian princes we have had to do with, he is ready to join the
strongest side. He heard that Holkar was coming down with an
immense army, and believed that we should not b