The Adventures of Kathlyn

Secretly, however, Ramabai's revolutionary friends were still back of

him, though they pretended to bow to the yoke of the priests.

So upon this day matters stood thus: the colonel, Kathlyn, Bruce and

Winnie were prisoners again; Ahmed was in hiding, and Ramabai and his

wife mocked by those who once had cheered them. The ingratitude of

kings is as nothing when compared to the ingratitude of a people.

A most ridiculous country: to crown Kathlyn again (for the third time!)

and then to lock her up! Next to superstition as a barrier to progress

there stands custom. Everything one did must be done as some one else

had done it; the initiative was still chained up in the temples, it

belonged to the bald priests only.

But Umballa had made two mistakes: he should have permitted the white

people to leave the country and given a silken cord to the chief

eunuch, to apply as directed. There are no written laws among the dark

peoples that forbid the disposal of that chattel known as a woman of

the harem, or zenana. There are certain customs that even the all

powerful British Raj must ignore.

The catafalque of the dead king rested upon the royal platform. Two

troopers stood below; otherwise the platform was deserted. When

Ramabai and Pundita arrived and mounted the platform to pay their last

respects to a kindly man, the soldiers saluted gravely, even

sorrowfully. Ramabai, for his courage, his honesty and justice, was

their man; but they no longer dared serve him, since it would be at the

expense of their own lives.

"My Lord!" whispered Pundita, pressing Ramabai's hand. "Courage!" For

Pundita understood the man at her side. Had he been honorless, she

would this day be wearing a crown.

"Pundita, they hissed us as we passed."

"Not the soldiers, my Lord."

"And this poor man! Pundita, he was murdered, and I am powerless to

avenge him. It was Umballa; but what proof have I? None, none! Well,

for me there is left but one thing; to leave Allaha for good. We two

shall go to some country where honor and kindness are not crimes but

virtues."

"My Lord, it is our new religion."

"And shall we hold to it and go, or repudiate it and stay?"

"I am my Lord's chattel; but I would despise him if he took the base

course."

"And so should I, flower of my heart!" Ramabai folded his arms and

stared down moodily at the man who, had he lived, could have made

Pundita his successor. "Pundita, I have not yet dared tell you all;

but here, in the presence of death, truth will out. We can not leave.

Confiscation of property and death face us at every gate. No! Umballa

proposes to crush me gradually and make my life a hell. No man who was

my friend now dares receive me in his house. Worship is denied us,

unless we worship in secret. There is one pathway open." He paused.