"Will their Native troops join us"?
"Every man among them."
"Are you certain"?
"As certain as that the wolf will hunt with his kind."
Prasad paused thoughtfully before putting another question.
"If we succeed what is to be done with the Foreigners"?
"Ahmad has my order to secure them as prisoners. We will hold them as hostages or send them out of the state."
Prasad took the Rani's hand in his and pressed it gently. Already he was a slave to her will. Henceforth the form of Lachmi Bai filled his soul with one aim above all others.
"Ah, my Lord," she cried, turning a radiant countenance toward him. "How long hath my heart pined for this hour—the hour when the scepter which was snatched from my grasp shall be placed in my hand; and the law of the Foreigner be no longer obeyed in Jhansi."
"Surely it is thy right, noble Rani," he replied. "When then can the signal be given"?