Atma remained silent during some minutes, plunged in thought, and

unconscious of the anxious scrutiny of his companions, who, bending

forward, awaited his reply in breathless suspense. It was a shock to

know that the heritage which was certainly his had passed from the

guardianship of the kinsman to whom it had been entrusted, and

indignation mingled with gentler reflections. He had not known the story

of the Sapphire, and his thoughts reverted to his father, the meaning of

whose reticence on a subject, which must have been full of humiliation

and pain, his son sadly divined, and recalling his dying words,

indelibly printed on his memory, he felt his high commission to be again

renewed and vivified. Perhaps the gentle image of Moti, ever present to

fond imagination, dispelled the rising clouds of distrust and

resentment, and bade him meet her father's demand with response of like

spirit. So now recalling the ingenuous emotion which had glowed in his

face during Lehna's tragic account of the recent career of Junda Kowr,

he asked where the Sapphire of Fate was to be found.

"At the Court of Golab Singh," replied his uncle, dramatically. "Golab

Singh, once a horseman in the employ of Runjeet Singh, now by British

machinations usurper of the crown of Kashmir. If you, Atma, are a true

and faithful adherent of the Khalsa, you will thither repair as an envoy

of the Maharanee, and will count her reward lightly won by danger

encountered for the faith."

"Inform her highness of my instant readiness to perform her request,"

replied Atma.

Happiness overspread the countenance of Lehna. With a gentle sigh of

relief, he abandoned the heroic and magnanimous strain in which his

speech had flown, and which to so acute and wary a man of affairs was

perhaps unfamiliar. He exchanged a glance of satisfaction with the

Rajah, who leaned back among his silken cushions in an attitude of

greater comfort than he had allowed to himself during the preceding

anxious half-hour.

It only remained to instruct the young Sikh as to the course and manner

of his journey, which was to be first to Ferazpore to receive the

commands of Junda Kowr, thence to Jummoo, where Golab Singh, the

recently appointed ruler of Kashmir, held his brilliant court.

These matters satisfactorily arranged, Rajah Lal with stately ceremony

took his leave, and Atma found himself alone with his kinsman, who

proceeded to matters of not less interest.

"I am honoured," he said, "by your proposed alliance with my house," for

Atma had disclosed to her father his love for Moti. "I am honoured and

deeply moved; but I defer this consummation of my cherished wish until

all may know that among many suitors, I chose, to be the husband of my

only child, a leal soldier of the Khalsa. But your high nature will, I

perceive, count this prize lightly won by peril endured for the Khalsa.

You go to-morrow to Ferazpore, where you will meet again Rajah Lal, who

has perhaps more influence with our clever Ranee than many a better man.

He repairs thither this evening, and will no doubt prepare for you a

favourable reception, and you will," he added, laughing, "in all

probability be received with the overflowing kindness and unveiled

confidence which our British friends deprecate!"




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