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!”