"Yes," I said; "I must be cool, and not seem bubbling over with delight." In fact, I felt just then so elated, partly by the news, partly by the returning health beginning to course through my veins, that I went straight to a mirror, to see if there was anything in my countenance likely to betray my state of mind, and, as soon as I reached it, I stood staring. Then I turned away, and went and sat down, thinking that mine was a very uncomfortable position; for, if any of our troops came rushing through the palace and saw me, looking in my present dress, exactly like some Hindu chief, my chances of escape would be very small. "Why, they would bayonet me before I had time to explain; the fellows don't wait for explanations," I said dismally. And I walked at once into my sleeping-chamber, to see if the remains of my old uniform were by any chance left, though I was certain that they were not. And then a feeling of anger rose against Ny Deen. "It is all his doing," I said. "He has been trying to make me look as much like a Hindu as possible. I wonder that he did not want me to stain my skin!" "No need," I muttered, after a glance at the mirror. "I'm sunburnt enough to look like a Sikh." And a feeling of bitter resentment was growing against him now, stronger than I had felt before, knowing as I did that in spite of his kindness, and the friendly feeling he professed, he was moved by the strong motive of making me his most useful follower. I had just arrived at this pitch, when Salaman came in quickly. "My lord, his highness is here," he whispered, and then ran out I would have given anything not to have stood before him that day, but there was no help for it; and, forcing myself to look calm and unconcerned, I went into the principal room, just as the rajah entered by the farther doorway, very plainly dressed, and quite alone. "Hah!" he exclaimed, with a friendly nod, "there is no need to ask. I can see. Better and better! So you shall have a change.--Well?" He paused for me to speak, and I could not dissimulate. "Oh, thank you," I said; "I do not want a change." "The doctor says that you do, and I say that you do," he continued, smiling; but there was no mistaking his tone. "So you shall go out. We will go out together. You are a great hunter, I know." "Oh no," I said hastily. "Well, you are fond of hunting." "I liked shooting," I said, as I thought of the end of my last expedition. "I know you do," he continued, with a meaning smile. "There is a tiger at the village a little way toward the hills, and he has been taking the poor people's cows. Yesterday he struck down a woman, and carried her off into the forest. I have had him tracked by the shikaris, and ordered the elephants and beaters to be ready. You shall take me with you, Gil, and give me a lesson in shooting tiger." "Then he has not a suspicion," I thought. And then I asked myself whether I should go or refuse.