Chapter II
THE HOUR AT HAND
IN a shaded room of the palace, the Rani had cast her- self upon a low divan to obtain a short period of rest. The rugs of intricate patterns, embroidered hangings, curiously carved and inlaid screens, tables, and taborets, gave to the apartment an atmosphere more of richness, than comfort from the Occidental point of view. She watched reflectively the actions of her wait- ing woman in placing a smoking paraphernalia at her side.
"Strange, how strange," she murmured, " are the ways of these Foreigners. After all the wrongs they have visited upon me, the insults I have suffered at their hands ; they boldly come and demand my influence to maintain such iniquities. They expect, forsooth, that if the door of my prison is opened, I will close it again upon myself. Surely they must think I possess less reason than a creature bereft of its senses. I I cannot under- stand them."
She turned her head to notice a stout, little man, salaaming profoundly.
"Well, good Bipin," she exclaimed. " What matter of supreme weight and urgency is it now? Hath an evil minded fox crossed thy path on thy way to the temple, or a crow dropped a tail feather with sinister intent upon thy turban " ?
"Protector of thy People," replied Bipin, " your Extra- 18
