But even then her horror seemed to be veined with a curious sensation of jealous pain, for she pictured to herself Helen floating down the stream with her white hands extended for help, and Hilton fighting his way through the water to her side. Then he seemed to seize her, and to make a brave struggle to keep her up. It was a hard fight, and he did not spare himself, but appeared to be ready to drown that she might live. The water looked blacker and darker where they were, and there was no help at hand, so that it was but a question of moments before they must sink. And as, with dilated, horror-charged eyes, Grey stared before her to where the river really ran sparkling in the sunshine, the imaginary blackness deepened, and all looked so smooth and terrible that she watched for where that dreadful glassiness would be broken by some reptile rising to make a rush at the struggling pair; and--yes, there at last it was! And with the name of Hilton half-formed upon her lips, she uttered another cry, and fell fainting in the Inche's Maida's arms. VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER EIGHT. DANGER AHEAD. Grey Stuart lost her cavalier Chumbley soon after supper, for the Princess pointed to a chair beside her, Hilton being very quiet and distant, and in spite of several reproachful glances from his companion's eyes, proving to be very poor company indeed. In fact, as soon as he could with decency give up what was to him a tiresome duty, Hilton left the Malay Princess's side, making the vacancy that was filled up by Grey, while soon after the Rajah came and took a chair upon the other side of the Scottish maiden, chatting to her with a slight hesitancy of speech, but pleasantly and well. "Do you enjoy--this party?" he said. "Oh! so much!" replied Grey. "It is so different from anything at home." "At home?" queried the Prince, who knew the simplicity of old Stuart's household. "I mean at home in England." "Oh! yes, I see. At home in England," said the Prince musingly. "I must go and see at home in England. I should like to go." "You would be much pleased, I am sure," said Grey, smiling; "but it is a very bad climate." "That is why you English come to our beautiful land. I see!" exclaimed the Prince. "But you enjoy yourself--this party?" "Oh! very much!" cried Grey; but a shadow crossed her countenance as she spoke. "I have said I will try and pass you all," said the Prince, laughing. "I mean mine to be the greatest of the _fetes_. It must be; for if I do not make mine a grander party than all, my people will look down upon me, and say, `See how weak and poor he is compared to the English!' I must make mine very brave and good." "I hear what you are saying," exclaimed the Inche Maida; "but I will excel you; for I will give another party, greater, and brighter, and more beautiful still. Miss Stuart will help me with good advice, and mine shall be more English than yours. We will not be beaten."