She spoke at last in a measured tone.
"How, now, my Lord Prasad Singh. A short while since you said the Rani was to be held until she heard your pleasure. Behold, she now patiently awaiteth it. What wilt thou do with her"?
Prasad hesitated a moment, then cast himself at her feet.
"Taunt me not, noble one," he petitioned. "I do not seek thy pardon; but I do ask thee to hear me speak."
"Aye, will I," came the response coldly. "Is it not to hear what thou canst say for such surprising conduct that I am now waiting on thy words."
"As God sees my heart, my sole excuse is my all consuming love for thee."
"Thy love for me," she echoed. "Surely it is a most unusual way of showing it, good Prasad. Thou gatherest here a company of rascals to assault my palace, and order them to heed not my command, to hold me a prisoner until I shall learn thy pleasure. Thy love for me. Oh"! she cried with a note of scorn in her voice. "Thou must indeed cherish a constant love for me."
"Ah, fair one, be not so ungracious," he besought her. "Surely thou hast tried me more than I was able to endure."
"I tried thee," she repeated bitterly. "Aye, I did try thee, and thou hast proved to be most woefully amiss. What art thou, a drinker of spirits, a libertine, and Ah God! a traitor to thy Queen."
Stung by her accusations he sprang passionately to his feet.