ilised as a
gigantic seal.

"I don't see why one shouldn't wear a thing like this," said Singh. "My
father always used to wear it out at home wherever he went, even when he
wore nothing else but a long white muslin robe. On grand Court days he
would be covered with jewels, and his turban was full of diamonds."

"Yes," said Glyn drily and with a half-contemptuous smile upon his lips;
"but that was in India, where all the rajahs and princes wear such
things."

"Well," said the boy proudly, "I am still a maharajah, even if I have
come to England to be educated; so why shouldn't I put on a belt like
this on a grand day if I like?"

Glyn took the brilliant belt from his companion's hand and held it
towards the light, inspecting curiously the beautiful gems, which were
of a lustrous green marked with flaws.

"Ah," he said, "it looks nice, and is worth a lot of money I suppose."

"Of course," said the young Indian; and he added haughtily, "I shouldn't
wear it if it were not."

"Well, you can't wear it," said Glyn, passing the embroidered leather
through his hands and turning it over in the bright sunlight which came
through the window.

"But why?" cried Singh, frowning slightly at having his will challenged.

"Well," said Glyn, "first of all, as I told you, because the boys would
laugh at you."

"They dare not," cried the boy proudly.

"What!" cried Glyn laughing. "Why, English boys dare do anything. What
did Slegge say this morning?"

"Slegge is what you call a blackguard," cried Singh angrily.

"Well, he isn't nice certainly," said Glyn; "but he'd begin at you again
directly, and chaff, and say that you ought to ride on the elephant."

"Well," said the boy, "and that would be my place if there were a
howdah. Of course I shouldn't ride on the great brute's neck."

"Yes, in India; but can't you recollect that you are still in England?"

"Of course I can," cried the boy, with flashing eyes; "but I can't
forget that I am a prince."

"Now, look here," said Glyn, "what did dad say to you when the Doctor
left us with him in the drawing-room? I mean before father went away.
Have you forgotten?"

"Of course not. He said, `Never mind about being a prince. Be content
with the rank of an English gentleman till you go back to your own
country.' And that's what I am going to do."

"Well done," cried Glyn merrily. "Then, now, put this thing away; you
don't want it. But stop a moment. I never had a close