BEFORE THE STORM
"It is well," she exclaimed. " Then I will see the
Foreign Sahibs. Go, carry them that message."
The officer again saluted and left her presence.
As if a sudden inspiration had gained possession of the Rani's mind, she turned to Ahmad and spoke authori- tatively.
"It is my will to see the Foreign Sahibs alone in the Darbar hall."
He made a gesture as if about to protest against her purpose.
"Nay," she continued, " Nay, good Ahmad. It is the best plan. If they see me unattended they will be less suspicious. Go, order everyone to hide from view. Let not a face be seen or a voice heard. Let these walls be as silent as a tomb aye even as the tomb that these Foreigners have built about my life, depriving me of what was justly mine. The palace sleeps, they will say. This woman can do no harm."
She gracefully recognized the Mohammedan noble's bow, signifying his compliance to her order, and moved quickly to a door leading to her private apartments.
At the southern gate of the city, the two Foreign Sahibs, attended by a Native orderly, were met by Golab Das, bearing the Rani's reply.
"Well Jamadar," said the military officer, " What does the Rani say ? Did you see her personally " ?
"I saw the Princess, your Excellency," returned the Jamadar. " She bade me say that she waits to learn the pleasure of your will."
