n affairs they
very soon forgot the Circassian.

Edith had to consent to Heideck leaving his tent at her disposal for the
rest of the night, while he himself spent the few hours before daybreak
at one of the bivouac fires. But Morar Gopal was to take up his quarters
before the entrance to the tent, and Heideck felt confident that he
could not entrust his valuable treasure to a more loyal keeper.

. . . . . . .

Fortune, which had reunited the lovers in so wonderful a manner, still
continued favourable to them. Very early on the following day, Heideck
had purchased a neat little bay horse, already saddled and bridled, for
Edith's use. When the troop of Indian horsemen, who were to serve as
guides and spies for the Russians, started on their way, the boyish
young rajah joined them, and no one made his strange appearance the
subject of obtrusive questions. The Indians probably at first thought
he was a very youthful Russian officer, who wore the native dress
for special reasons, and on that account preserved a most respectful
demeanour. Tchajawadse, who accidentally found himself close to Edith
before starting, said nothing, although he certainly looked keenly at
her for a moment.

The bad reports of the health of the Maharajah of Chanidigot, which
spread through the camp, were sufficient explanation why he made no
attempt to regain possession of the beautiful fugitive. He was said to
be suffering from such violent pain and fever, caused by his wounds,
that he had practically lost all interest in the outside world.

Having taken a hearty leave of their Indian hosts, the Russian
detachment advanced further into the hilly country, and at noon spies
reported to Prince Tchajawadse that the English had completely evacuated
Ambala and had set out on the march to Delhi. Probably the strength of
the Russian division, whose advance had been reported, had been greatly
exaggerated at Ambala, and the English had preferred to avoid a probably
hopeless engagement.

With a woman's cleverness, Edith managed, without attracting
observation, to keep near Heideck, so that they often had the
opportunity of conversing. Her tender, fair skin must have appeared
striking amongst all the brown faces, but the will and caprice of
Russian officers demanded respect, and so no one appeared to know that
there was an English lady in the troop wearing the costume of a rajah.
Besides, the march was not a long one. The hunting-camp was only about
15