“You look it,” said Dick frankly.
It was a week after the alarm, and, though there was not the slightest trace to be found outside the old palace walls, a couple of sentries were placed on duty on the roof every night, while for further safety an extra sentry was stationed at the gates.
The whole of the officers now took the precaution of having loaded pistols within reach, and a certain amount of nervousness, a feeling of insecurity, slightly marred their sleep. But after six nights without being disturbed, they began to grow more careless, and to feel that such an adventure was not likely to occur again.
Being now much better, Hulton accepted an invitation from the Rajah for him and the doctor to dine at the palace, where, for the first time, Dick had the pleasure of seeing the queen-mother—a great favour, to be duly appreciated.
The young officer was ushered into the queen’s apartments by the Rajah himself, and found her a handsome, graceful, stately lady of forty, who spoke fair English and received him with grave dignity, if she felt the condescension she was showing to the youth whom her son delighted to honour, by offering him her hand to kiss, examining his countenance searchingly the while.
She was not alone, for Dick’s friend, the elderly Brahmin, was standing by, ready to greet him with a smile; while a bevy of her highness’s ladies stood back, closely veiled, and all in simple white silk costumes, affording a strange contrast to their mistress, who was literally ablaze with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.
The interview was short, and the Rajah led his young English friend back to where the others were waiting.
“I want my mother to know more of what the English are, Darrell,” he said. “I want her to like you, and as she comes to know you better, I feel that her bitter prejudices will soften down, and she will begin to like others.”
He referred to this again and again in the course of the evening, and spoke apologetically to Hulton and the doctor about the matter.
“You see,” he said, “that it is a matter of time, and it was the utmost that my mother would concede at first. After a time I hope she will often meet you, too, as her friends.”