hreatened Mr. Holwell very severely
unless this treasure were found, and dismissed him to consult with his
fellow-prisoners. This was bad news, for it was evidently impossible
to persuade Surajah Dowlah that there was no such treasure, and he
would therefore be inclined to look upon Mr. Holwell's failure to
discover it as mere obstinacy.

We were discussing our prospects very gloomily when a party of Moors
arrived, bringing two fresh prisoners. I felt a sudden sickness when I
recognised that these were none other than Marian herself with her
father. Old Mr. Rising seemed to be dazed, and unconscious of what was
happening to him, but Marian was suffering from visible terror. I
hastened to her side, exclaiming--

"Marian, what do you do here? Why are you not gone with the other
women?"--for all the Englishwomen and children had been put aboard the
ships as soon as the Moors arrived outside the town.

Marian looked surprised and a little comforted to meet me in the same
situation as herself.

"So you are a prisoner too!" she cried. "I confess I do not understand
what has happened to my father and me, for Rupert especially enjoined
and urged us to remain in our house, assuring us that his credit with
the Nabob would serve not merely to protect us, but to secure high
places and rewards for himself, which he intended I should share."

She said this with a certain shame, but I was too anxious for her
safety to retain my feelings of jealousy at such a moment.

"I will send for Gurney to come here," I said. "I have just seen him
go into the Nabob's presence."

I called one of the men who kept guard over us, and bade him go
instantly and fetch my cousin. The Moor showed some disinclination to
obey me, but I repeated my command in a tone so firm that he gave way,
and sullenly complied.

In a minute or two Rupert came out, looking bewildered, and, I
thought, somewhat alarmed. As soon as he saw who it was that had sent
for him, however, his assurance returned, and he came to us with a
jaunty air.

"Ha! Marian," he said, taking no notice of me, "so you have found your
way here, have you? I am pleased to greet you; but if you have sent
for me to ask me to procure the release of your other admirer, whom I
took prisoner yesterday, I must tell you fairly that I am not the
least inclined to do it."

"Nay, Rupert," she answered, "I am ashamed to say that I had not
thought of asking you anything on your cousin Athelstane's beha