not without alloy. His
thoughts, however, flew away to Violet Ross, and he could not help
hoping that her father would no longer object to him as a son-in-law.
That she had remained faithful, he had no doubt; and he should soon have
the happiness, he hoped, of again seeing her. Should she object to live
surrounded by the splendour of an Oriental court, he was ready, could he
do so with honour, by placing the country under the English Government,
to give up India, and assume that position in England to which he hoped
to prove himself entitled, should he recover the missing documents of
which he was in search.

Such were the thoughts which occupied his mind as he rode through the
streets, amid the obsequious and bowing multitude who thronged around.
As he approached the palace, rich carpets covered the road; and the
rajah's bodyguard, with their officers in gorgeous costumes, stood drawn
up to receive him. He felt considerable anxiety at not seeing the rajah
himself, and it was increased on being informed that he lay too ill to
rise, but that he waited the arrival of his grandson on his couch in his
private apartment. Saluting the officials of the palace as he passed
along, he hurried to the old man's side.

"I am thankful that you have come, my son, for I am sick unto death,"
said the rajah. "My own physicians know not what is the matter with me,
and I have sent to beg that the English doctor who has accompanied the
resident may forthwith come and prescribe for me."

Reginald, of course, expressed a hope that the doctor would soon arrive,
and have the happiness of restoring him to health.

"And now let me hear an account of your adventures," said the rajah.

Reginald briefly gave it; not forgetting to speak in the highest terms
of Burnett, in the hope that the rajah would be induced to sanction his
marriage with Nuna. He then thought it right to tell his grandfather of
the information he had received from Khan Cochut.

"He is a cunning fellow, and may have wormed it out of some of the
natives, though I doubt whether many would trust him," observed the
rajah. "But you tell me that a slave of that traitor Balkishen has been
captured; let him be brought to me. He knows more about his master's
affairs than any one else, and for the sake of saving his life will
willingly give all the information he possesses."

Reginald was still with the rajah when Nuna arrived. She was
overwhelmed with grief at seeing him so