LORD CUNNINGHAM, VICEROY OF INDIA
Hardly had Margaret reached her home in Wyoming, when Aurora likewise
was welcomed by her people in England. Her father, whose brilliant
career upward from the ranks of the common people had astonished the
diplomats of the world, meanwhile had been raised to the highest rank
of peerage.
Being a born leader of such inexhaustible sagacity and acumen,
his promotion from one important position to another was not only
inevitable but necessary, and hardly a month had elapsed since Aurora's
return to London, before he was gazetted as Lord Cunningham, Viceroy
to India.
The situation at that time in India was quite a delicate one, on
account of the Thibetan boundary question with Russia. The latter
had raised her periodical spasm of aggression, in order to attain
certain political ends at home, and the departure of Lord Cunningham
was therefore hastened.
It was near the end of November when Lord Cunningham, his wife and
beautiful daughter were regally received in Bombay. Distinguished
looking in his six feet two inches of height, with a leonine
countenance, The Lord at once captivated the Indian rajahs, princes,
and also commanded the respect of the populace. His courteous manners,
forceful and firm proclamations and actual philanthropic undertakings
coupled with his propaganda of dispensing equal justice to all,
aroused at once the enthusiasm, patriotism and loyalty of every class,
and quieted the racial differences and political disquietude among
the people.
The Russian government, seeing this solid phalanx of unity and change
of sentiment of the Indian people, beat a hasty retreat under the
subterfuge of quelling an alleged disturbance on the borders of
Manchuria.
In order to give himself an opportunity for a general introduction,
Lord Cunningham decided to hold a reception and dance. It was planned
to follow the style of entertaining then in vogue, a combination of
literary and musical talent to be followed by a reception. Among the
many who had consented to contribute to the evening's entertainment,
and occupying the place of honor, was the celebrated savant Abou
Shimshek, the Astronomer of Ispahan, who had just returned from
an adventurous expedition to the Himalayas to investigate Nature's
wonders.
Lord Cunningham being aware of the presence of the celebrated
prodigies, the Dusky Quartette, who were on their itinerary to Bombay,
had sought and engaged their services for the occasion. An American
violin virtuoso, Spencer Hamilton, who had created a furore in Simla
a week previously at a fashionable society recital and was acclaimed
as an unequaled maestro of his instrument, had also promised to appear
during the entertainment and render a few selections on the violin.
On the night of the Soirée a great multitude of natives as well as
eminent European personages were present, in all the picturesque
splendor of the habilaments of their respective countries. There
were Maharajahs, dazzling with diamonds, accompanied by their retinue
blazing with silver and gold embroidered costumes, Ascetic Brahmins
and sombre looking Fakirs from the seats of learning of Hyderabad,
mysterious emissaries from the sacred city of Delhi, learned Sheiks
with flowing patriarchal beards from Arabia and Egypt, Magicians from
all over Persia, besides all fashionable folk from military posts
throughout the East Indian Empire.
Dashing and handsome officers vied with each other in their endeavor
to do homage to the beautiful Aurora, who was enthroned next to her
mother. After a prelude on the dulciphone, Abou Shimshek, amidst the
huzzah and clamor of the assemblage, with great dignity came forward,
and with uplifted arms, invoking the spirits of Hafiz and Firdozy to
endow him with eloquence, began the account of his thrilling adventure
as follows: