at hers, and she saw they did not
flinch--"there is none who knows better than thou knowest how my brother
and I stand to each other." She shuddered at the reiterated second
person singular, but he either did not notice it or else affected not
to. "Thou know est that there is no love between him and me, and that
I would have his throne. The British could set me on that throne unless
they were first overwhelmed. Wert thou my legal wife, and were I to aid
the British in this minute of their need, they would not be overwhelmed,
and afterward they would surely set me on the throne. Therefore I pledge
my word to lead my men to the Company's aid, provided that these Rangars
ride to my aid. My brother plans to overcome me first, and then take
arms against the British. If the Rangars come to help me I will ride
with them to the Company's aid afterward. That is my given word!"

"Then the throne of Howrah is your price, Jaimihr-sahib?"

"Thou art the price and the prize, sahiba! For thee I would win the
throne!"

She actually laughed, and he winced palpably. There was no doubt that he
loved her after a manner of his own, and her contempt hurt him.

"I have said all I can say," he told her. "I have promised all I can
promise. What more is there to say or offer? If I stay here, I swear on
the honor of a Rajput and a prince of royal blood, that every living
man and woman on this rock, excepting thee only, shall be dead within a
week. But if I escape by thy aid, and if, at thy instance, these Rangars
and their friends ride to my help against my brother, then I will throw
all my weight--men and influence--in the scale on the British side."

"And--?"

"And thou shalt be Maharanee!"

"Never!"

"But in case that the British should be beaten before we reach them,
then, sahiba! Then in case of thy need!"

"Jaimihr-sahib, I will help you to escape tonight on the terms that you
have named--that you spare these Rangars and every living body on this
hill. Then I will do my utmost to persuade the Rangars to ride to your
assistance on your condition, that you lead your men to help the British
afterward. And if my action in helping you escape should make the
Rangars turn against me and my immediate friends, I shall claim your
protection. Is that agreed?"

"Sahiba--absolutely!"

"Then let me pass!"

Reluctantly he stood aside. She slipped out and let the bar down
unobserved. But she had not recovered all her self-possession when she