“I hope so,” was the reply, but the phrase set him a-thinking.
Within that shining palace most probably was a woman to whom he owed his life. In another palace, many a hundred miles away, was another woman for whom he would willingly risk that life if only he could save her from the fate that the private of the 61st was gloating over in anticipation.
What a mad jumble of opposites was this useless and horrible war! At any rate why could not women be kept out of it and let men adjust their quarrel with the stern arbitrament of sword and gun!
Then he recalled Chumru’s words anent the Princess Roshinara, and the fancy seized him that if he were destined to enter Delhi with the besiegers he would surely strive to repay the service she had rendered Winifred and Mayne and himself at Bithoor.
That is the way man proposes and that is why the gods smile when they dispose of man’s affairs.
CHAPTER XV
AT THE KING’S COURT
Without guns to breach the walls, even the heroic Nicholson was powerless against a strongly fortified city.