l religions are
good; each man has the god or gods of his fathers; let there be no
obstacle placed against worshipping the divine power in any manner that
seemeth fit. That is both wisdom and justice. That is why I, a Hindu, a
Rajput, one of the twice born, can serve my lord, the Moslem Emperor
Akbar, with loyalty of heart and of sword that no man may question."

At these words the captain of the bodyguard touched the jewelled hilt of
his scimitar lying on the cushion by his side. He glanced around, as if
to see whether anyone present dared to question the fidelity he had
professed. But there was neither movement nor remark among his
listeners, and with a disdainful little smile of self-complacency he
resumed.

"During to-day's discussion, in the spirit of tolerance that Akbar
teaches to all of us, we Rajputs have had to harken to severe
upbraiding. We are accused of inhumanity because in our homes a female
child may be done away with at birth, lawfully and without dishonour. Be
it so; the fact itself I shall not dispute. Nor shall I defend the
practice except to point out that a woman more or less in the world does
not matter, that the babe suffers no pain and knows no ill, that had she
lived it might have been to a life of widowhood--if courage were wanting
to choose the suttee--and therefore to long days of shame and sorrow.

"Furthermore, has it to be remembered that the marriage of one of our
daughters costs much money. According to the rules of our caste and the
customs of our race, the ceremony must be worthy of the parents and of
the position they occupy; all of the district must be feasted, and let
the expense be grievous as it may it must be borne. To some who are rich
the money thus spent is of no account. But to others who are poor yet
proud--and all Rajputs are proud--a wedding that is seemly for a
daughter of the house may mean poverty and ruin for the father and
brothers during twenty years to follow. In certain circumstances this
misfortune cannot be thought of. The honour of the race, the very safety
of a whole clan, may depend on rigid economy as a provision against
danger. So it may be both right and wise for an infant daughter to be
put painlessly to her death. Such was the doctrine my father taught me,
and his name is blessed."

The speaker dropped his eyes, folded his hands across his breast, and
for a full minute remained in silent meditation. When at last he looked
up again, there had come ov