When the time arrived for the giving of presents it was understood the object of the meeting had been obtained, all points carefully discussed between the Viceroy and the Amir, the latter having formed clearer views of what was to his own interests (and ours incidentally); that we were prepared to fight his enemies, assist him with arms and money, and with him pay attention to the fortification of Herat, and if he followed our advice we were going to help him to keep Russia away from his doors. The great Durbar was over, and beyond the torrents of rain nothing much had gone amiss, the elephants told off to take part in the state procession did not refuse to “process,” the musical boxes did not refuse to play, and all went well. [Illustration: LORD DUFFERIN, FAMILY AND STAFF _Left to right. Standing_: Capt. Leonard Gordon, Hon. C. Lawrence, Capt. Onslow, Col. Harry Cooper, Capt. A. Balfour, Lord Herbrand Russell, Mr. Goad, D. Findley _Sitting_: Col. G. F. Graham, Lady Helen Blackwood, Lord Wm. Beresford, Miss Thynne, Lord Dufferin, Lady Dufferin, Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace _On ground_: Capt. C. Burn, Capt. Honble. C. Harbord] Then followed the arranging for the return of all the participators in this pageant. Happily the Amir considered rain a good omen, and as it rained when he arrived, also when he took his departure, he must have felt he was in luck’s way. Lord William, Captain Harbord, Mr. Durand, and other high officials drove from the Viceroy’s camp to the Amir’s, preparatory to the final adieu and to inform him of the arrest of Ayab Khan, thereby easing his mind, also the tidings that Her Majesty the Queen-Empress had conferred on him the decoration of the Grand Cross of the Star of India. The Amir left in the Viceroy’s carriage accompanied by these officers _en route_ for the station with a cavalry escort and body-guard of the King’s Dragoon Guards. The route was lined with troops who presented arms every fifty yards. Then a pleasing little speech from the Amir, and he was on his way back to Kabul. Lord William had time again now to breathe freely after his hard work, and carried back to India and eventually to his home in England various souvenirs he treasured, presented to him by some of those attending the Durbar as a small appreciation of his untiring efforts for their comfort and pleasure.