The Rani's face expressed welcome surprise.
"So," she cried. "Ahmad returns to caress the hand that sways his destiny. Fierce beast that he is. I—I am his mistress, aye, his master.
"Come," she added, beckoning to Prasad. "Be watchful of thy temper, O good friend."
When the Rani entered the room in which Ahmad was waiting, he saluted her with profound reverence. Thrice he made a courtly salaam at a respectful distance. In his outward manner there was no sign of the arrogance which had marked his last abrupt entrance into her palace.
Whatever conclusion the Rani drew from the glance directed toward him, she extended a friendly greeting. "Thou art welcome, Ahmad," she exclaimed, intimating her pleasure that he should draw nearer. "Thou art ever welcome to the Palace of the Rani. I trust thou art recovered from thy sickness."
"Noble Lady," he replied, as if with an effort. "The physician had enjoined a longer period of confinement to my room; but the news from Shahpur made me hasten to thy side."
The Rani started.
"Hast thou heard from Sadescheo then"? she asked wistfully.
"Of him rather than from him, noble Lady," replied Ahmad. "Sadescheo gathers troops about his fortress, so it is thy humble servant's advice that thou dost, without loss of time, dispatch a strong body to learn his reason."