spire me with a
becoming and devout gratitude that I had been born a citizen of
Christian England, a blessing which we should the more prize since
Providence has seen fit to deny it to so many millions of His
creatures, and to bestow it upon a few. Sad it is that even among
those few there should be found multitudes unmindful of their
opportunities, who give themselves up to dissolute lives, or who turn
away from the blessed truths of Scripture to hanker after liturgies
and Romish inventions.

* * * * *

And now, having arrived safe in Calcutta, I looked forward to a period
of rest and security not only for Marian, but myself, after the rough
taste we had both had of fortune in her cantankerous mood. As soon as
I had seen Marian lodged in her father's house, I sought out Mr.
Holwell, one of the principal Company's servants in Calcutta, and
commissioner over the police of the town. To this gentleman I brought
a letter from Mr. Scrafton, to recommend me to his good offices, and
having read it he at once received me very civilly and promised me his
friendship.

He asked me many questions about the taking of Gheriah, and also about
Mr Robert Clive, whose character stood high in the estimation of every
one in Bengal, even the Moors having bestowed on him the name of Sabat
Jung, signifying the daring in war.

"We had heard of this affair before you came," Mr. Holwell told me.
"The man Angria was famous in these parts, and supposed to be
invincible, so that his sudden destruction by our armament has given
the natives here an altogether new idea of the English power. It will
be well if this doesn't do us more harm than good, for the Moors are a
jealous, suspicious race. Our agent in the neighbourhood of
Moorshedabad, the Nabob's capital, has warned us that the English have
many enemies at the Court, who seek to poison the Nabob's mind against
us. I believe there are some spies come down here to examine our
defences and the strength of our garrison."

"What!" I said. "Do you think the Nabob intends anything against us?"

"No, I don't say that," Mr. Holwell answered. "The present Nabob,
Allaverdy Khan, has always been our good friend. But he is old and
sick, and his nephew, who is likely to succeed him, is a dangerous
young man, puffed up with pride and conceit. If he should come to the
throne he is only too likely to find some pretext for harassing the
Company."

To these forebodings I pa