"No," he said, looking at me earnestly, "I shall never doubt you, Gil, and it is vain to resist. Every word you say, boy--every brave piece of opposition makes me more determined. You are proving more and more how worthy you are of the great honours I offer you. Come, you have fought enough. You are conquered. Give up your English sword, and take the tulwar I will place in your hands." "No," I cried passionately. "I am the Company's officer." "There is no Company," he cried. "You have fought to crush down a conquered people; now fight to raise them up into a great nation; to make me into one of the greatest kings who ever ruled in Hindustan. It will be a great work." "I cannot," I said passionately. He turned a furious look upon me, and dashed away my hand. "Ungrateful!" he cried fiercely. "No," I retorted. "I must do my duty to my Queen." "I tell you that you are mine now," he cried furiously. "You must obey me. I am your maharajah and your king." "No; you are the great chief who has made me his prisoner, sir. I am English, and you will have to give account to my people for my life." "Pish! Your life! What are you among so many? I tell you my purpose is fixed. You are my officer, and--" "You will have me killed?" "Killed!--imprisoned till you grow wiser. I should not kill you yet." "Very well," I said, trying to speak calmly; but a crowd of faces seemed to come before my eyes, and I believe my voice shook. "What?" he raged out. "I said `Very well,'" I replied. "I am ready." My words only drove away his anger; and he sat gazing at me for some moments before bursting out into a merry laugh. "My dear Gil!" he cried, rising and coming closer to plant his hands upon my shoulders, giving me such pain that I felt faint, for one was over my wound, "it is of no use to fight. I tell you that everything you say makes you more mine. Come, my brave, true lad, accept your fate. Go into the next tent, and come back my chief. I have brought many of my best officers over to be presented to you--noble men who will place their swords at your feet, for they know what you have done, and they are eager to receive you as their brave young leader. There, I cannot be angry with you, boy. You master even me, and make me quite your slave. Kill, imprison you! It is impossible. You accept?" I shook my head. I thought he was going to flash cut again in his anger; but though his brow wrinkled up, it was only with a puzzled look; and then he looked alarmed, for I sank back half fainting, and for a few moments everything before me was misty. But it passed off as I felt a vessel of cold water at my lips; and directly after I came quite to myself. "What is it?" he said anxiously. "You are ill." "Your hand was pressing my wounded shoulder," I said rather faintly. "My dear Gil!" he cried, as he took and pressed my hand, "I did not know."