ul followers that Umballa
intended to force the colonel into a native marriage; later, to dispose
of the colonel and marry the queen himself. Suttee had fallen in
disuse in Allaha. He, Ramabai, would now apparently side with Umballa
as against Colonel Hare, who would understand perfectly. As the
colonel would refuse to marry, he, Ramabai, would suggest that the
colonel be married by proxy. However suspicious Umballa might be, he
would not be able to find fault with this plan. The betrothal would
take place in about a fortnight. The Mem-sahib would be chosen as
consort out of all the assembled high caste ladies of the state.

Ahmed threw up his hands in horror, but Lal Singh bade him be patient.
What did the Mem-sahib say to this? The Mem-sahib answered that she
placed herself unreservedly in Ramabai's hands; that Umballa was a
madman and must be treated as one.

"Ramabai, why not strike now?" suggested Ahmed.

"The promise Umballa has made to the soldiers has reunited them
temporarily. Have patience, Ahmed." Lal Singh selected a leaf with
betel-nut and began to chew with satisfaction.

"Patience?" said Ahmed? "Have I none?"

So the call went forth for a bride throughout the principality, and was
answered from the four points of the compass.

Between the announcement and the fulfilment of these remarkable
proceedings there arrived in the blazing city of Calcutta a young maid.
Her face was very stern for one so youthful, and it was as fearless as
it was stern. Umballa's last card, had she but known the treachery
which had lured her to this mystic shore. The young maid was Winnie,
come, as she supposed, at the urgent call of her father and sister, and
particularly warned to confide in no one and to hide with the utmost
secrecy her destination.

CHAPTER XIV

THE VEILED CANDIDATES

From the four ends of the principality they came, the veiled
candidates; from the north, the east, the south and west. They came in
marvelous palanquins, in curtained howdahs, on camels, in splendid
bullock carts. Many a rupee resolved itself into new-bought finery,
upon the vague chance of getting it back with compound interest.

What was most unusual, they came without pedigree or dowry, this being
Ramabai's idea; though, in truth, Umballa objected at first to the lack
of dowry. He had expected to inherit this dowry. He gave way to
Ramabai because he did not care to have Ramabai suspect what his inner
thoughts