'Let them think that she was taken prisoner,' went on Grace. 'It may have been so. Yes: that is the true explanation. I wonder I did not think of it before--and the terror and horror shook her reason. Poor Vivien! I am sorry I had hard thoughts of her. She was much too beautiful to be wicked. It was madness, Hoosanee. If she had not been mad she would never have treated me so. I might have known it at once. And you say she is dead?' 'She is dead, Missy Sahib.' 'It was best. To have come to herself here would have been terrible. But I cannot think of it any more. Thank you for telling me, my good Hoosanee. You have just come in?' 'I rode into camp an hour ago, Missy Sahib.' 'You must want rest. I am selfish to keep you up so long. Good-night! I will see you again to-morrow.' 'May the sleep of my gracious lady be sweet, and may the gods preserve her from evil!' said Hoosanee fervently. He went out, to find the rajah waiting for him with eager questions. Then Bâl Narîn joined them. A runner had come out in search of the rajah. He brought intelligence of a great and notable Ghoorka victory, which had resulted in the complete pacification of the district between the Nepaul frontier and the Kingdom of Oude. Gambier Singh was triumphant. He sent word that the rajah must join him in his camp near Janhpore, and that he would tell off a detachment to escort him to Gumilcund, as a part of the Doab, which he would have to cross on his journey, was said to be still in an unsettled condition. When questioned about the state of the country generally, the runner reported that Delhi was supposed to have been taken by assault a few days since; but that Lucknow was still in the hands of the mutineers. This was joyful news to the rajah. 'If Delhi is taken the worst is over,' he said to his servants. 'And our Gumilcund men will be in it. If we reach our city safely, I will put myself at the head of another little army and join the forces that will be marching to Lucknow. What do you say, Billy? Will you join me?' 'I will go to the ends of the earth with his Excellency,' said Bâl Narîn. 'But let him have a care!' 'Of what, Billy?' 'Of the jealousy of the gods, Excellency.' 'You think I am too prosperous, Billy? Don't alarm yourself. I shall have my knock-down presently.' 'It is useless to speak of such things,' said Hoosanee. 'The Rajah Sahib, as we know, has risked his life in two dangerous enterprises. It is fitting now that he remains with his people in Gumilcund.' 'Time enough to discuss our further movements when we have reached that haven of rest,' said Tom, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. * * * * *