He was expecting them, eagerly perhaps, but with a certain quaking that demanded the assistance of the "Raja's peg," a blend of champagne and brandy that is calculated to fire heart and brain to madness more speedily than any other intoxicant. He was conversing with his nephew, Rao Sahib, and his chief lieutenants, Tantia Topi and a Mohammedan named Azim-Ullah, when the native officers of the rebel regiments clattered into his presence. "Maharajah," said their chief, "a kingdom is yours if you join us, but it is death if you side with the Nazarenes." He laughed, with the fine air of one who sees approaching the fruition of long-cherished plans. He advanced a pace, confidently. "What have I to do with the British?" he asked. "Are they not my enemies, too? I am altogether with you." "Will you lead us to Delhi, Maharajah?" "Why not? That is the natural rallying ground of all who wish the downfall of the present Government." "Then behold, O honored one, we offer you our fealty." They pressed near him, tendering the hilts of their swords. He touched each weapon, and placed his hands on the head of its owner, vowing that he would keep his word and be faithful to the trust they reposed in him. "Our brothers of the 53d and 56th have not joined us yet," said one. "Then let us ride forth and win them to our side," said the Nana grandiloquently. He went into the courtyard, mounted a gaily-caparisoned horse, and, surrounded by the rebel cohort, cantered off towards Cawnpore. Thus it befell that the mob of horsemen pressed past Malcolm and his guards as they entered the palace. The subadar tried in vain to attract the Nana's attention. Fearing lest he might be forgotten if he were not in the forefront of the conspiracy, this man bade his subordinates take their prisoner before the Begum, and ran off to secure his horse and race after the others. He counted on the despatches gaining him a hearing. Abdul Huq, more crafty than his chief, smiled. "Better serve a king's daughter than these Shia dogs who are so ready to fawn on a Brahmin," said he to his comrade, another Pathan, and a Sunni like himself, for Islam, united against Christendom, is divided into seventy-two warring sects. Hence the wavering loyalty of two sepoy battalions in Cawnpore carried Malcolm out of the Nana's path, and led him straight to the presence of Princess Roshinara. The lapse of three weeks had paled that lady's glowing cheeks and deepened the luster of her eyes. Not only was she worn by anxiety, in addition to the physical fatigue of the long journey from Delhi, but the day's happenings had not helped to lighten the load of care. Yet she was genuinely amazed at seeing Malcolm. "How come you to be here?" she cried instantly, addressing him before Abdul Huq could open his mouth in explanation. "As your Highness can see for yourself, I am brought hither forcibly by these slaves," said Frank, thinking that now or never must he display a bold front.