“Indeed we are, mamma,” said the bright-looking girl addressed, and in a half-amused way, she took Ned’s arm as her father went on in front.
“I little thought of seeing English visitors,” she continued. “Shall I be impertinent if I ask why you have come so far?”
“Oh no!” said Ned rather brusquely, for he resented the questioning. “Uncle and I have come up on a sporting and natural history trip. We are going on directly.”
“Indeed! Then the rajah has given you leave?”
“What rajah? The man here?”
“Yes,” said the girl, smiling.
“Oh no! We did not know it was necessary. Uncle will ask him then, I suppose. Does he call it his property?”
The girl looked round at him in surprise,—
“Oh yes; he is the rajah or prince of the country.”
“Yes; but I thought all this belonged to the Queen.”