Sir Robert Egerton, the Lieut.-Governor of the Punjab, had gone to meet Lord Ripon at the first rest-house, some six or eight miles down the road, where the new Viceroy was to refresh his inner man and change his travelling garments. Everybody in the tent was very hot and wishing the show over, but they had some time still to wait. The appointed hour had come and gone, but still no Viceroy. Lord Lytton walked up and down between the house and the shamiana smoking a cigar, while everybody else held their breath waiting anxiously for release before being quite stifled.
At last the signal was given, the great man was approaching, there was a general buzz and hum as in a hive of bees when the queen thinks of moving. Lord Lytton hurried out of the house: three or four aides-de-camp, Lord William being one, endeavoured with difficulty to clear a space in the shamiana, which feat presented somewhat of a conundrum, the area being about the size of an ordinary healthy hearthrug.
Sir Robert Egerton’s little pony carriage could be heard driving up, and in a minute or two Sir Robert came striding down the red cloth, a very imposing figure, tall and portly, with a good deal of presence, dressed in his diplomatic uniform as a Lieut.-Governor with cocked hat and sword. Lord Ripon followed, neither tall nor majestic in appearance, his London clothes looking as though they had been used as a pillow in the tonga on the way up, or hastily pulled out of a much-packed Gladstone bag, which was no doubt precisely the case, and how loyal of him! having been sent out by the bag’s namesake.
Well! now the show began. The A.D.C.’s pressed everybody back until they had to hold in their breath for fear of taking up too much room. Lord Lytton, whose manner was always polished and charming, came forward and shook hands, with some ordinary words of welcome. Lord Ripon, who felt the awkwardness of the situation, being sent out to replace Lord Lytton, nothing abashed at the numerous eyes fixed on him at close quarters, plunged at once “in medias res.”
Lord Ripon: “Didn’t want to come out at all really, my dear Lytton, not in the least you know, but a man must obey orders——”
Lord Lytton (much embarrassed) interrupting: “Yes, my dear Marquis, quite so. Let me introduce you to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.” Sir Paul Haines, standing on the fringe of the crowd, was presented, Lord Ripon hastily shook hands, keeping an anxious eye on Lord Lytton, then returning to the charge.
Lord Ripon: “Yes! As I was saying, my dear Lytton, I didn’t want to.”
Lord Lytton (more embarrassed): “Yes, quite so, exactly. Let me present you to Mr. ——, a member of your Council.”
Lord William dived into the crowd, assisted by other A.D.C.’s, who trampled on everybody until the high official was produced, and the presentation effected.
Lord Ripon (again returned to the matter weighing heavily on his mind): “Oh, yes! I was saying I’ve been Secretary of State, you know, and I didn’t——”