Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/184

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Memoirs of

mission in your army I must equally decline, as I am bound to return to our ambassador, to whom I owe too many obligations to taken any step without his permission." Scindeah could not but approve of this reply; and Mr. L., making his bow, returned towards the place where he was lodged.

When night came, and General Norolli, having made his dispositions, had also returned to his quarters, whilst yet on horseback, and, as if moved by jealousy to repress the exultation which he imagined Mr. L. might have indulged in, he called out in a loud and angry tone, "Where is Mr. Loustaunau, where is that gentleman?" Mr. L., who was standing not far off, approached, and, as the general dismounted, said, "Here I am, general, at your command."—"I saw," observed Mr. L. (interrupting himself whilst relating this part of his story to me) "that the general was in a rage, which appeared more plainly as he continued."—Who, sir, authorized you to present yourself to the rajah without my leave? don't you know that all Europeans must be introduced by me?"—"General," replied Mr. L., "I was summoned by his highness, and I went: if you are angry because I have done some little service to your master, I cannot help it. You are not ignorant that I pointed out to you first of all the commanding position which struck me as fitted for planting a battery: you refused to listen