Silence.
Then Ramabai brought candidate after candidate close to the colonel, so
that he alone might see the face behind the veil. At each uplifting of
the veil the colonel shook his head. A dark frown began to settle over
Umballa's face. If the colonel refused the last candidate for nuptial
honors, he should die. But as Ramabai lifted the veil of this last
woman the colonel nodded sharply; and Kathlyn, for a brief space, gazed
into her father's eyes. The same thought occurred to both; what a
horrible mockery it all was, and where would it lead finally?
"Take care!" whispered Kathlyn as she saw her father's fingers move
nervously with suppressed longing to reach out and touch her.
The spectators of this little drama which was hidden from them evinced
their approval by a murmuring which had something like applause in it.
A queen was chosen! A real queen at last had been chosen. Ramabai had
accomplished by diplomacy what yonder Durga Ram had failed to do by
force. But Umballa secretly smiled as he sensed this undercurrent.
Presently they should see.
The colonel extended his hand and drew Kathlyn up beside him; and now
for a moment the whole affair trembled in the balance: Kathlyn felt
herself possessed with a wild desire to laugh.
The chain of gold, representing the betrothal, was now ordered brought
from the treasury.
The populace, outside the palace, having been acquainted with what was
taking place, burst out into cheers.
The treasure room, guarded by leopards in charge of incorruptible
keepers, was now approached by Umballa and his captain of the guard.
Umballa presented his order on the treasury. The leopards were driven
into their cages, and the magic door swung open. The two gasped for
breath; for Umballa had never before looked within. Everywhere gold
and gems; fabulous riches, enough to make a man ten times a king.
"Highness," whispered the captain, "there is enough riches here to
purchase the whole of Hind!"
As he stared Umballa surrendered to a passing dream. Presently he
shook himself, sought the chain for which he had come, and reluctantly
stepped out into the corridor again. He would return soon to this
door. But for that fool of a white man who had saved the king from the
leopard, he would have opened this door long since. As he walked to
the outer door he thought briefly of the beauty of Kathlyn. She was
dead, and dead likewise was his passion for her.
Beyond the gate to the garden of brides Ahmed and Lal Singh waited with
elephants. From here they would make the north gate, transfer to new
elephants, and leave Allaha and its evil schemes behind. They created
no suspicion. There were many elephants about the palace this day. In
one of the howdahs sat Bruce, armed; in the other, Pundita, trembling
with dread. So many arms had Siva, that evil spawn, that Pundita would
not believe all was well till they had crossed the frontier.