urajah Dowlah was little changed from when I had last seen him. His
features still preserved that aspect of ruined handsomeness and marred
and minished glory, which is ascribed to the fallen archangel by our
great poet Milton--whom I, for one, will never stoop to compare with
your writer of lascivious stage-plays and sonnets, after whom all the
world is now running frantic. Roy Dullub handed the paper which we had
brought containing our proposals to the Nabob, who read it over before
he condescended to glance at us.

No sooner did he see me, however, than his face changed. He turned his
head, and whispered something to his favourite, pointing to me at the
same time. Then he addressed us, with smooth civility, pretending to
ignore our previous acquaintance.

"I will desire my ministers to consider your proposals," he said. "The
Dewan shall confer with you, and let you know my pleasure."

"That is not enough for us," replied Mr. Scrafton. He naturally took
it on himself to speak, as my elder and superior. "Your Highness has
committed a breach of good faith in crossing the English boundary
while negotiations are in progress."

"You need have no fear about that," the Nabob responded. "My
intentions towards the English are friendly. I come among you simply
as a guest. Tell Sabat Jung that he may lay down his sword and confide
in my goodwill."

To this Mr. Scrafton replied by a fresh remonstrance, but he soon saw
that nothing was to be got from Surajah, whose answers were evidently
being inspired by his secret adviser, Lal Moon. At length the Nabob
dismissed us, and we retired from the durbar.

As we were passing out we saw, standing in the doorway, the Gentoo
Omichund, whose house we were in. This man, well known in Bengal,
possessed large interests in Calcutta, as well as in other parts of
the Nabob's territories. For this reason he had long played a double
game between the Moors and English, seeking to keep in with both
sides. Now, as we came past, he fixed a significant look upon us, and
whispered in English in my ear--

"Take care of yourself!" Then, as I stood still for an instant he
added in the same sly tone, "Does your commander know that the Nabob's
cannon are not yet come up?"

Before I could answer he slipped away in the crowd. I followed on
after Mr. Scrafton, and whispered to him what I had heard, as we were
on our way to the Dewan's tent.

"It is my opinion," I added, "that we are to be detained as p