human
Heaven-born! said a voice at his side, and he distinguished the tones of Munshi Somwar Mal.
gpt
Now do the roses bloom again in the garden of joy, since your honour lives!
human
But Charteris Sahib--the Rani--every one?
gpt
The Rani Sahiba saw your honour fall, and herself took command of the soldiers, bidding them die rather than fail to recover your body. Sirdar Badan Hazari was killed, fighting very valiantly, and the Komadan Sahib Rukn-ud-din now leads the troops.
human
But Charteris Sahib--what of him, I say?
gpt
Alas, sahib! The Rani Sahiba bade return to look for him when the foe were driven back, but none were found alive save a wounded Darwani, who had seen Chatar Sahib's body thrown over a horse and carried away.
human
My dear, I wish you would take that unfortunate young Gerrard in hand.
gpt
I will do what I can, love, but I am never quite sure how to approach these young men. If only dear Theodora were here----
human
Oh, if Ned and his wife were here, the trouble would be at an end, said James Antony, with his big laugh.
gpt
I can't begin an interview by blowing a man up sky-high, and end it by falling on his neck, as Ned does. I have done my best for Gerrard--more than Ned would have done, too--in commending his conduct throughout this unfortunate affair, but it don't seem to make him any happier.
human
But you cannot think your brother would have taken the part of that dreadful Sher Singh, love?
gpt
Ned would have seen the matter so wholly from Sher Singh's point of view as to consider him justified in killing not only poor Charteris, but Gerrard as well, for the offence of abducting his stepmother.
human
Then when Edmund returns, will he insist on forcing the unfortunate woman to go back?
gpt
No, my dear, he won't, for the very good reason that I have already passed her safely across the Ghara. But he will have a rod in pickle for poor Gerrard, who seems to me to have quite enough to bear already--what with his wounds and the loss of all his belongings, to say nothing of the death of his friend.
human
You don't think, James, that he feels himself to blame for poor Mr Charteris's death?
gpt
He's an unreasonable idiot if he does, testily.
human
As if he hadn't done all that he could when he heard of it--insisting on mounting a horse and going back to look for him! When he very naturally fainted again, his people were uncommon wise in continuing the journey and bringing him here, and it's no reason for him to pull a long face. A broken arm and a complete suit of bruises ain't pleasant wear, but they are mending, and the beggar has no business to mope as he does. If he's still in love with old Cinnamond's daughter, his path is clear now, but they tell me he has made no attempt to see her.
gpt
Ah! said Mrs James thoughtfully.
human
But he shall see her. Leave it to me, love. Don't you think, with extreme innocence,
gpt
He will be a sad kill-joy, my dear. But consider the room at your disposal for any nefarious projects of the kind.
human
Nay, James, you must do your part. Pray convey my compliments to him, and tell him I shall be sadly vexed if he refuses to come. He shall be in complete retirement there, you may say, and can slip away when he chooses.
gpt
I will give him his orders. Pray, is Miss Cinnamond's name to be mentioned?
human
I think not. I wish I could leave it to your discretion, love, but a fine tact is not one of your shining virtues, is it?
gpt
No, ma'am. James Antony was not at all aggrieved.
human
To tell the truth without fear or favour is enough for me.
gpt
Then say nothing. Stay--could you contrive to intimate that Sir Arthur and his lady will be among the company? That should serve to prepare the young man's mind.
human
I imagine I am capable of that, my dear.
gpt
Charades and Music were promised in the corner of this evening's card. The host spoke his mind quite frankly on the nature of the entertainment, which he termed