The Rani turned from Ahmad and gazed out of a window pensively. There was forming quickly in her mind an ulterior object that might be promoted by following Ahmad's suggestion. Among her older officers there was a marked disposition to regard her opinion in military affairs lightly, as that of a mere girl whose judgment in such matters could be of no value. A younger man, susceptible to her personal charm, would, she thought, be more likely to follow, unhesitatingly, the dictates of her will.
"Thou hast observed the young officer of whom I speak, my Rani"? Ahmad asked with a shade of anxiety in his voice, as he waited on her answer.
"Truly I have," she answered. "I have remarked him well several times. I like his manner and appearance. There is much discernment in what thou sayest. For a space I will think over it, and to-morrow make known my decision."
Ahmad salaamed low and withdrew from her presence.
So far, he was satisfied with the favorable view the Rani seemed to take of his covert plan of installing a protégé of his own in one of the most important offices of the government, and the deeper project of eventually destroying his rival by that means.
The Rani proceeded to an inner court, and called her chief waiting woman to her side.
"Rati," she began. "I am curious to know what other women—the ladies of the zananas—think of me. Tell me, O Rati, thou who learnest such things, what is the opinion in such places of Lachmi Bai"?
The girl looked nonplussed.
"Speak truly," enjoined the Rani. "Flattery enough I can have for the wish."