Whilst Faulcon was doing his best to ensure the prosperity of the state, the nobles, jealous of his power and influence were humiliated by having to be subservient to a foreigner. The priests discredited, and without the enjoyment of Court favour, saw to their sorrow a minister, who despised their religion and set an example to the nation of forsaking their gods and superstitions. The common people, blind to common sense, and ready to follow any leader as foolish as themselves, espoused the cause of the priests who, to promote the cause of Heaven, sowed dissensions broadcast. Kings ought to have learnt by experience that when a people is discontented, an ambitious man is all that is required to make it rebellious. A single man suffices to instil into dull minds the fact that union is strength, and to cause them to pass from the ignominy of slavery to the desire for freedom. The Siamese people, who were murmuring in secret, only awaited a leader to break out in revolt. Men of all conditions yearned for a deliverer and any ambitious personage had a chance of assuming this imposing title. An official by name Pitracha, took advantage of the popular discontent as a basis on which to rear the fabric of his fortune. At first he sheltered his aims under the cloak of religion; and a hypocritical zealot in religious matters, he gained the confidence of the priests and people, who regarded him as the protector of their temples and of their ancestral form of worship. This imposter in disguise took the surest means to stir up the fires of rebellion, as the mob invariably supports those who take up arms on behalf of their religion. Some say that Pitracha was born to be galley-slave rather than to succeed to a throne, but I can affirm that, from reliable information received, that he was of the blood royal and even first cousin to the reigning King. His mother who had been nurse to the King had two children, Pitracha who has been mentioned, and a daughter. Both these children had been brought up in the Palace and had been the playmates of the King in his youth. First impressions are the most durable, and the King had always a kindly feeling for the playfellow of his youth, whom he afterwards advanced to the highest official position in the Kingdom. The daughter who was comely and pleasing withal, was admitted to the harem and became the favourite wife. Unfortunately she conceived a guilty passion for the King's brother and as there were too many spies about for the liaison to be kept secret for long, the faithless wife was condemned to be devoured by tigers. Pitracha dissembled his resentment so as not to lose favour; and the King, charmed with the apathy he exhibited, ordered him to chastise the offending prince with a rattan. Pitracha carried out his instructions with such effect that the Prince dragged out a wretched existence; as the punishment had caused severe injuries.