"Good news, My Lady Rani," he replied, in an undertone. "The torch has been ignited. To-morrow Dundhu Panth proclaims himself Peshwa, and Cawnpore will fall into his hands. Strike now, for if Jhansi is won, other states, that waver, will follow suit. Such is the Peshwa's command." "Welcome, most welcome, noble Raja," she cried, in a transport of joyful emotion. She extended her hands in greeting. "Welcome to the palace of the no longer unfortunate Rani of Jhansi." He took the jeweled fingers of one of her hands in his and bowing low placed them to his forehead. Then he drew himself up and gazed with sudden admiration at the superb form, the beautiful features of the high caste Princess. In a moment he resumed the conversation, still in a tone of caution. "Are all thy plans complete, fair Lady"? "Aye, even over complete, I had feared," she answered. "The hidden guns in the fortress have been disinterred, my retainers armed, guards posted on the highways to prevent the escape of the Foreigners, when the signal is given. All people in Jhansi wait impatiently upon my word." "It is well," he exclaimed, approvingly. "But how about the Mohammedans? Can they be depended upon"? "Ahmad Khan moves them at the raising of his hand." "Aye, but of Ahmad Khan. At the raising of whose hand doth he obey without question"? The Rani slowly raised her hand and held it outstretched before her. A dart of racial jealousy pierced the Hindu noble's breast. "Ah!" he exclaimed. "It is perhaps well thus, for the moment." The Rani's arm fell lightly to her side. "It is well for all time, so long as we are united," she returned, with significant emphasis. Prasad moved a step nearer and spoke almost in a whisper. "What of the Foreigners? Do they suspect a rising"? "They are in doubt, but rely implicitly upon the fidelity of their Native troops." "Will their Native troops join us"? "Every man among them." "Are you certain"? "As certain as that the wolf will hunt with his kind." Prasad paused thoughtfully before putting another question. "If we succeed what is to be done with the Foreigners"? "Ahmad has my order to secure them as prisoners. We will hold them as hostages or send them out of the state." Prasad took the Rani's hand in his and pressed it gently. Already he was a slave to her will. Henceforth the form of Lachmi Bai filled his soul with one aim above all others. "Ah, my Lord," she cried, turning a radiant countenance toward him. "How long hath my heart pined for this hour--the hour when the scepter which was snatched from my grasp shall be placed in my hand; and the law of the Foreigner be no longer obeyed in Jhansi." "Surely it is thy right, noble Rani," he replied. "When then can the signal be given"? "Now, to-night, to-morrow, at any time." "Then make certain that all is ready to-night, and let the signal be given for to-morrow." The Rani beckoned her waiting woman to her side.