"On this basis certain shrewd spirits among the British intruders at this period were able to discover more of the character of the people under their unwelcome rule, in a single establishment of native servants, than in the general observations of a hundred English households.
"Awaiting, therefore, the conclusion of the ceremonies of approach, upon which he always insisted and which were shortly to be rendered so absurd, the prince at last, calling the Hindoo by name, demanded the occasion of his presence.
"'It is an ill service, O prince,' replied the Hindoo, 'which I am about to render you.'
"'What, then?' exclaimed the prince. 'To the point, to the point!'
"'Is dead?' inquired the prince with badly disguised eagerness.
"'Proceed!' demanded the prince. 'What can be worse?'
"'Your grandfather,' replied the messenger, in evident haste to conclude a disagreeable task, 'has taken to himself a young wife.'
"'Ah!' cried the prince, startled into a degrading abandonment of his customary elevation of demeanor. 'The dotard, the imbecile! Married? To whom?'
"'A daughter of the house of Nadis Shah, Rani Rue.'
"'I know her!' cried the prince savagely. 'Implacable, ambitious, unscrupulous. What will she not attempt with that old driveller?' Then, evidently impressed by something shadowed in the expression of his ill-omened Mercury, he exclaimed: 'You have more to tell me?'
"The Hindoo bowed his head in perturbed affirmation.
"'Quickly, then!' demanded his august listener.
"'The British forces have concentrated at the cantonment without the walls of Delhi; a detachment is even now on the way to your palace, which they propose to seize and garrison.'
"'Ah!' murmured the prince, 'the freshet is turning to a deluge. Is there more?'
"'Yes, O prince,' returned the Hindoo; 'the British intend to hold you as a hostage for the safety of the English resident, who is a prisoner at the palace in Delhi.'
"'So!' exclaimed this royal reprobate as he reflected upon the picturesque possibilities to himself, in view of the sanguinary temptation which the helpless resident would present to the ambitious Queen Rani Rue. 'How far in advance of the detachment are you?'
"'This is short reckoning. You have hastened with leaden feet.'