“I would be as safe with one as with the other!” she laughed, something of calm reflection returning to her.  “And what proof have I in any case that you will keep your word, Jaimihr-sahib.  I will keep mine—­but who will keep yours, that has been so often broken?”

“Sahiba—­”

“Show me a proof!”

“Here—­now—­in this place?”

“Convince me, if you can!  I will give myself willingly if I can save my father by it and these Rangars and Mr. Cunningham; but your bare word, Jaimihr-sahib, is worth that!”

She snapped her fingers, and he swore beneath his breath.  Then he remembered his ambition and his present need, and words raced to his aid—­words, plans, oaths, treachery, and all the hundred and one tricks that he was used to.  He found himself consciously selecting from a dozen different plans for tricking her.

“Sahiba”—­he spoke slowly and convincingly.  In the gloom she could see his brown eyes levelled straight at hers, and she saw they did not flinch—­“there is none who knows better than thou knowest how my brother and I stand to each other.”  She shuddered at the reiterated second person singular, but he either did not notice it or else affected not to.  “Thou know est that there is no love between him and me, and that I would have his throne.  The British could set me on that throne unless they were first overwhelmed.  Wert thou my legal wife, and were I to aid the British in this minute of their need, they would not be overwhelmed, and afterward they would surely set me on the throne.  Therefore I pledge my word to lead my men to the Company’s aid, provided that these Rangars ride to my aid.  My brother plans to overcome me first, and then take arms against the British.  If the Rangars come to help me I will ride with them to the Company’s aid afterward.  That is my given word!”

“Then the throne of Howrah is your price, Jaimihr-sahib?”

“Thou art the price and the prize, sahiba!  For thee I would win the throne!”

She actually laughed, and he winced palpably.  There was no doubt that he loved her after a manner of his own, and her contempt hurt him.

“I have said all I can say,” he told her.  “I have promised all I can promise.  What more is there to say or offer?  If I stay here, I swear on the honor of a Rajput and a prince of royal blood, that every living man and woman on this rock, excepting thee only, shall be dead within a week.  But if I escape by thy aid, and if, at thy instance, these Rangars and their friends ride to my help against my brother, then I will throw all my weight—­men and influence—­in the scale on the British side.”

“And—?”

“And thou shalt be Maharanee!”

“Never!”

“But in case that the British should be beaten before we reach them, then, sahiba!  Then in case of thy need!”

“Jaimihr-sahib, I will help you to escape tonight on the terms that you have named—­that you spare these Rangars and every living body on this hill.  Then I will do my utmost to persuade the Rangars to ride to your assistance on your condition, that you lead your men to help the British afterward.  And if my action in helping you escape should make the Rangars turn against me and my immediate friends, I shall claim your protection.  Is that agreed?”