"Do not speak thus," she replied, painfully exerting herself to a return of spirit. "While brave men live no cause is lost."
Then turning her gaze upon the grief stricken countenances of her troopers, she enjoined them not to weep for her.
"For thy tears will bring forth mine," she pleaded, "and the true soldier cries not on facing death."
With assistance, she then removed Sindhia's necklace from her breast. She directed the strings to be broken, and summoning her ever faithful Valaitis gave to each, in turn, a pearl in remembrance of their fair captain.
"Farewell," she said, as each saluted with uncontrolled grief. "Be brave and fight on until the end."
Soon Prasad remained with her alone.
For a time she rested her head upon his breast with her arms about him. Many loving, sorrowful words were exchanged, until she felt the moment of dissolution nigh.
"Prasad," she said. "Place thy hand within my jacket. Thou wilt find my parting gift to thee there."
He obeyed as she directed, and drew forth his dagger.
"Thy dagger, O Prasad," she exclaimed. "I have kept it to protect my honor. I give it back to thee to save thine own in case of need. And now, my dear Lord, one request have I to ask of thee before I say farewell. I beg thou wilt see to it, that no Foreign eye doth gaze upon my body after I am dead."