"Thou wilt take three hundred of my horsemen," she addressed Prasad, "and accompany Ahmad Khan to Shahpur. Upon thy return a Darbar shall be held in which I will make the chief appointments in the state."
She then turned to Ahmad and asked if it would be possible for him to reach Shahpur in the present state of the weather.
"Fair Lady," replied the Mohammedan. "Have I not fought among the Afghan passes when the winter snows were tinged a bloody red. Have I not chased Kurd horsemen into their bleak fastnesses. Such squalls as these but refresh the mettle of our steeds. Fear not, at daybreak, Ahmad Khan will break his fast with Sadescheo."
"Then farewell, my Lords," the Rani cried. "Go, terrify Sadescheo as much as thou wilt, but, remember, draw not the sword unless thou art compelled as thou regardest my favor."
Ahmad saluted and retired first from her presence. Prasad was about to follow, when he paused a moment.
"What are thy commands"? he asked in a low tone, as if he expected an order yet to be disclosed.
"Be watchful," she replied. "For the present he may be trusted, because"—
A smile of triumph broke upon her face as she concluded—
"If thou dost love the Rani, remember her command."