_THE HOUR AT HAND_
In a shaded room of the palace, the Rani had cast herself upon a low
divan to obtain a short period of rest. The rugs of intricate patterns,
embroidered hangings, curiously carved and inlaid screens, tables, and
taborets, gave to the apartment an atmosphere more of richness, than
comfort from the Occidental point of view. She watched reflectively the
actions of her waiting woman in placing a smoking paraphernalia at her
side.
"Strange, how strange," she murmured, "are the ways of these
Foreigners. After all the wrongs they have visited upon me, the
insults I have suffered at their hands; they boldly come and demand my
influence to maintain such iniquities. They expect, forsooth, that if
the door of my prison is opened, I will close it again upon myself.
Surely they must think I possess less reason than a creature bereft of
its senses. I--I cannot understand them."
She turned her head to notice a stout, little man, _salaaming_
profoundly.
"Well, good Bipin," she exclaimed. "What matter of supreme weight and
urgency is it now? Hath an evil minded fox crossed thy path on thy way
to the temple, or a crow dropped a tail feather with sinister intent
upon thy turban"?
"Protector of thy People," replied Bipin, "your Extraordinary
Greatness will be pleased to know, that the illustrious Raja, Sivapuri
Prasad Singh, an emissary from the Peshwa, awaits your Highness's
command to enter."
The Rani rose to her feet instantly, manifesting intense emotion in her
voice and actions, as she cried:
"The Peshwa's messenger at last. Go, good Bipin, bring him to me
immediately. There is no one I long to see more than this same emissary
from the Peshwa."
She had scarcely spoken when Bipin ushered into the room a Hindu noble
of gallant mien, whose attire bore traces of hasty travel through
jungle by-paths. He strode hurriedly forward and bowing before the
Rani, glanced round with suspicion.
The Rani waved her male servitor from the room.
"Speak, noble sir," she urged reassuringly. "The walls are deaf as well
as dumb. Ah, _Mahadeva!_ How anxiously we have awaited thy coming."
"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.
"Go," said she. "Go swiftly, let it be known that to-morrow at noon,
the tigress will break down the bars of her cage."