Atma - A Romance - Page 25/56

An hour later, as he left the sumptuous baths where obsequious slaves

had attended him, an officer of state approached him with a message from

the Rajah.

"Atma Singh, there are within these walls Englishmen who hold command in

the British army. As a true friend and servitor to the Ranee, and the

Maharajah's esteemed guest, do not divulge nor let them suspect that

you had lately audience of her highness."

For Golab Singh, notwithstanding the cruelty of his administration, was

friend to all, Christian, Musselman, Brahmin, or Sikh, and did not love

to be suspected of an undue sympathy with any, not even when such

sympathy might wear the cloak of patriotic loyalty.