human
My soldiers have been lacking in respect--have hesitated to attend my friend whither he desires?
gpt
No, no! answered Gerrard hastily, fearing a sudden holocaust.
human
They are most courteous. It is merely that they are always there.
gpt
O my friend, what have I done, that you would bring the guilt of your death upon me?
human
Maharaj-ji, protested Gerrard indignantly,
gpt
I am not a griffin, to try to penetrate into mosques or zenanas. I would but walk about--of course with a servant or two.
human
Has my friend not perceived yet that this city is in the eyes of its inhabitants sacred even as a mosque or a zenana? He sees only eyes beaming with affection as he rides through the streets?
gpt
Not exactly, admitted Gerrard.
human
But I thought that the people were irritated by the action of the escort in clearing the way--and perhaps also by seeing me riding your Highness's horse. On foot, and unattended----
gpt
You would be slain before you had left the palace square. Listen, my friend--who knows Agpur best, I who have spent my life here, or you who see it now for the first time?
human
Your Highness, undoubtedly.
gpt
Then let my friend listen to me. These Moslem notables, who would dispute the city itself with my Granthis, but for the firm hand I keep over both, think you that they love the English? Abd-ur-Rashid Khan of Ethiopia is the master they would choose to serve if they had their way. Say that they gratify their hatred by slaying a British officer, Antni Sahib's envoy. On whose head lies the guilt? Is it not on that of Rajah Partab Singh? The English come to punish him, and the whole of Granthistan is in a blaze again. Granthi sides with Granthi against the English, but these dogs of Mohammedans, who shall tell which side they will take? This only I can say, that it will be the side of their own advantage.
human
Forgive me, Maharaj-ji. I had not thought----
gpt
No, my friend. You uttered hastily the words of an impatient mind, not having studied from your youth the art of playing off Granthi against Moslem, and both against Ranjitgarh. But it is a study that you will do well to take in hand now.
human
I could have no better teacher than your Highness,
gpt
Would that these were as the days of old, before the English crossed the Ghara! Then should Jirad Sahib have been my Englishman, and I would have given him a wife out of my own house, and he should have dwelt always in my city, and trained my soldiers. Verily we would have put Ranjitgarh itself to tribute when the fool sat on the _gaddi_ in the place of Ajit Singh, and when death approached I would have put my son Kharrak Singh into my friend's arms and died content, knowing that he would serve the child even as he had served the father. But now who shall protect the boy from a thousand dangers?
human
If peril threatens him when I am at hand, your Highness can count upon my protecting him with my life.
gpt
Of that I am certain. Partah Singh paused, and his eyes wandered over the dark gardens, with their gleaming white colonnades and kiosks and graceful towers rising into the blue-black sky. He traced the starlight down to its reflection in the great tank before he spoke again.
human
If I should place my son and my kingdom under the protection of the English, what would happen in Agpur?
gpt
Your Highness knows whether the army is to be trusted. There would be intense indignation on the part both of the Granthi and the Moslem notables, I presume? Whether they would proceed to active opposition----
human
If they saw a hope of success they would. But with the army faithful to an Englishman already established in charge here--and the English at Ranjitgarh ready to march to his assistance?
gpt
But you forget one thing, Maharaj-ji. That the days of your Highness may yet be prolonged for many years is a thing not only to be hoped for but confidently expected, and the English are at Ranjitgarh only for a certain time, until Ajit Singh's son comes of age.
human
Away with this foolishness between friends! he said.
gpt
Where the English come, they stay. If young Lena Singh survives the quarrels of his mother and the Sirdars, how can he be left to rule Granthistan with all English help withdrawn? The Resident and the army must stay, or the day the youth mounts the _gaddi_ will also be that of his death.
human
So I have heard many say among ourselves, said Gerrard;
gpt
Said I not that things might yet remain as they are? The English may go on ruling Granthistan while pretending that they do nothing of the kind, but it is in my mind that before many years are past they will be rulers in name also. If, then, I should place myself under the protection of the English --he dropped his voice--
human
I cannot possibly enter into any agreement that would bind Colonel Antony or the Government, but it sounds the kind of arrangement that they would be likely to sanction, replied Gerrard, in the same cautious tone.
gpt
But has your Highness considered the opposition that would be aroused in Agpur if it became known?
human
It is for that very reason I have broached the plan to you. Whether I die soon or not for years to come, there must be at hand a man who will take command of the army, with wealth in his power sufficient to ensure its allegiance, and use it boldly to maintain my son's title against all opposition, from whatever quarter it may arise.
gpt
Maharaj-ji, if I err bid me be silent, but it is in my mind to utter that which I fear is forbidden. Is there not one whose right to the throne is greater than that of Kharrak Singh?
human
There is one at whose evil deeds the sun would grow black, were they published abroad. His death was decreed, but I suffered him to elude my vengeance, saying, 'Surely he will hide his shame at the ends of the earth, mindful that one has died to save him from the reward of his deeds.' But since he has returned, and dared to put forth claims to the throne he forfeited, there is no mercy for him. Was it well done in you, O my friend, to listen favourably to his petition, and not drive him from you?
gpt
I knew not the man, Maharaj-ji, and he gained access to me with a lying tale. When I learned who he was, it was my duty to hear what he had to say, but I drove him from me when he sought to influence me by a bribe.
human
True, but your anger was kindled by the attack on your own integrity, not by the man's evil designs.
gpt
I am here to report all things to Colonel Antony, Maharaj-ji, not one side of the case only. The Rajah's eyes were flashing, and Gerrard waited for an outburst of anger, but none came.
human
But how did your Highness learn of the man's visit?
gpt
From whom but from Dwarika Nath? I looked to hear of it from my friend, but I waited in vain.
human
I did not desire to be the means of the man's death,
gpt
And why does not my friend tell me that Dwarika Nath offered to conceal the matter in return for a gift?
human
Your Highness does not mean to say that Dwarika Nath confessed that?
gpt
Nay, he said softly,
human
So you set spies on me in my own tent, Maharaj-ji! he cried indignantly.
gpt
And you call me your friend!
human
The wise man calls no one friend whom he has not tested when they are apart as well as when they are together, was the calm reply.
gpt
Do I not honour my friend by enabling the lustre of his character to shine forth even when he believes himself alone?
human
I said these walls seemed to have eyes! muttered Gerrard.
gpt
I suppose your Highness's spies are here also?
human
You are watched from morning to night, and again from night to morning, said the Rajah with pride.
gpt
Even on your sacred day, when you worshipped your God in the company of the half-breed physician, my eyes were upon you.
human
I make no suggestion as to your action when alone, though you are acquainted with my own practice. But when there is even one other Christian within reach, it is my earnest entreaty that you will invite him to join with you on Sundays in the worship of God. Believe me, this will bring you no discredit among the heathen, but rather the contrary. The