en of a foe, he went.

(A hi! that honour should strike hands with traitors!)

IV

The hours went by, heavy-footed like mourners. Padmini the Rani knelt by
the window in her tower that overlooks the plains. Motionless she knelt
there, as the Goddess Uma lost in her penances, and she saw her Lord
ride forth, and the sparkle of steel where the sun shone on them, and
the Standard of the Cold Disk on its black ground. So the camp of the
Moslem swallowed them up, and they returned no more. Still she knelt and
none dared speak with her; and as the first shade of evening fell across
the hills of Rajasthan, she saw a horseman spurting over the flat; and
he rode like the wind, and, seeing, she implored the Gods.

Then entered the Twice-Born, that saint of clear eyes, and he bore a
scroll; and she rose and seated herself, and he stood by her, as her
ladies cowered like frightened doves before the woe in his face as he
read.

"To the Rose of Beauty, The Pearl among Women, the Chosen of the Palace.
Who, having seen thy loveliness, can look on another? Who, having tasted
the wine of the Houris, but thirsts forever? Behold, I have thy King as
hostage. Come thou and deliver him. I have sworn that he shall return in
thy place."

And from a smaller scroll, the Brahman read this:--

"I am fallen in the snare. Act thou as becomes a Rajputni."

Then that Daughter of the Sun lifted her head, for the thronging of
armed feet was heard in the Council Hall below. From the floor she
caught her veil and veiled herself in haste, and the Brahman with bowed
head followed, while her women mourned aloud. And, descending, between
the folds of the purdah she appeared white and veiled, and the Brahman
beside her, and the eyes of all the Princes were lowered to her shrouded
feet, while the voice they had not heard fell silvery upon the air, and
the echoes of the high roof repeated it.

"Chief of the Rajputs, what is your counsel?" And he of Marwar stepped
forward, and not raising his eyes above her feet, answered,--

"Queen, what is thine?"

For the Rajputs have ever heard the voice of their women.

And she said,--

"I counsel that I die and my head be sent to him, that my blood may
quench his desire."

And each talked eagerly with the other, but amid the tumult the
Twice-Born said,--

"This is not good talk. In his rage he will slay the King. By my yoga, I
have seen it. Seek another way."

So they sought, but could determine nothin