“To this Lal Lu did not reply, but searched his countenance with a scrutiny which he found it difficult to endure, as he cried with renewed animation:
“‘Oh, Lal Lu, be not so cold! Hearken! The native regiments of Meerut are in revolt and on their way to Delhi.
“‘It is their purpose to re-establish Dahbur Dhu, my grandfather, upon the throne of the moghuls.
“‘As thou knowest, I am next in succession, and Dahbur Dhu is feeble and decrepit.
“‘The British are not in sufficient force to withstand a combined attack.
“‘See, then, Lal Lu, what this means for me; what it means for thee.’
“‘Oh!’ repeated the girl with curious emphasis, ‘what it means for thee, I know; but what it means for me’—and she paused with disconcerting deliberation as she added—‘thou hast not said.’
“‘Everything, my own!’ exclaimed the prince with generous ardor—‘everything! Thou hast but to command and thy will is done.’
“‘Everything?’ re-echoed Lal Lu with a questioning stress which the prince could not ignore—‘everything?’
“‘I have said,’ replied the prince.