Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of India Read online

  Chapter II

  _THE HOUR AT HAND_

  In a shaded room of the palace, the Rani had cast herself upon a lowdivan to obtain a short period of rest. The rugs of intricate patterns,embroidered hangings, curiously carved and inlaid screens, tables, andtaborets, gave to the apartment an atmosphere more of richness, thancomfort from the Occidental point of view. She watched reflectively theactions of her waiting woman in placing a smoking paraphernalia at herside.

  "Strange, how strange," she murmured, "are the ways of theseForeigners. After all the wrongs they have visited upon me, theinsults I have suffered at their hands; they boldly come and demand myinfluence to maintain such iniquities. They expect, forsooth, that ifthe door of my prison is opened, I will close it again upon myself.Surely they must think I possess less reason than a creature bereft ofits senses. I--I cannot understand them."

  She turned her head to notice a stout, little man, _salaaming_profoundly.

  "Well, good Bipin," she exclaimed. "What matter of supreme weight andurgency is it now? Hath an evil minded fox crossed thy path on thy wayto the temple, or a crow dropped a tail feather with sinister intentupon thy turban"?

  "Protector of thy People," replied Bipin, "your ExtraordinaryGreatness will be pleased to know, that the illustrious Raja, SivapuriPrasad Singh, an emissary from the Peshwa, awaits your Highness'scommand to enter."

  The Rani rose to her feet instantly, manifesting intense emotion in hervoice and actions, as she cried:

  "The Peshwa's messenger at last. Go, good Bipin, bring him to meimmediately. There is no one I long to see more than this same emissaryfrom the Peshwa."

  She had scarcely spoken when Bipin ushered into the room a Hindu nobleof gallant mien, whose attire bore traces of hasty travel throughjungle by-paths. He strode hurriedly forward and bowing before theRani, glanced round with suspicion.

  The Rani waved her male servitor from the room.

  "Speak, noble sir," she urged reassuringly. "The walls are deaf as wellas dumb. Ah, _Mahadeva!_ How anxiously we have awaited thy coming."

  "Good news, My Lady Rani," he replied, in an undertone. "The torchhas been ignited. To-morrow Dundhu Panth proclaims himself Peshwa,and Cawnpore will fall into his hands. Strike now, for if Jhansi iswon, other states, that waver, will follow suit. Such is the Peshwa'scommand."

  "Welcome, most welcome, noble Raja," she cried, in a transport ofjoyful emotion. She extended her hands in greeting. "Welcome to thepalace of the no longer unfortunate Rani of Jhansi."

  He took the jeweled fingers of one of her hands in his and bowing lowplaced them to his forehead. Then he drew himself up and gazed withsudden admiration at the superb form, the beautiful features of thehigh caste Princess.

  In a moment he resumed the conversation, still in a tone of caution.

  "Are all thy plans complete, fair Lady"?

  "Aye, even over complete, I had feared," she answered. "The hiddenguns in the fortress have been disinterred, my retainers armed, guardsposted on the highways to prevent the escape of the Foreigners, whenthe signal is given. All people in Jhansi wait impatiently upon myword."

  "It is well," he exclaimed, approvingly. "But how about theMohammedans? Can they be depended upon"?

  "Ahmad Khan moves them at the raising of his hand."

  "Aye, but of Ahmad Khan. At the raising of whose hand doth he obeywithout question"?

  The Rani slowly raised her hand and held it outstretched before her.

  A dart of racial jealousy pierced the Hindu noble's breast.

  "Ah!" he exclaimed. "It is perhaps well thus, for the moment."

  The Rani's arm fell lightly to her side.

  "It is well for all time, so long as we are united," she returned, withsignificant emphasis.

  Prasad moved a step nearer and spoke almost in a whisper.

  "What of the Foreigners? Do they suspect a rising"?

  "They are in doubt, but rely implicitly upon the fidelity of theirNative troops."

  "Will their Native troops join us"?

  "Every man among them."

  "Are you certain"?

  "As certain as that the wolf will hunt with his kind."

  Prasad paused thoughtfully before putting another question.

  "If we succeed what is to be done with the Foreigners"?

  "Ahmad has my order to secure them as prisoners. We will hold them ashostages or send them out of the state."

  Prasad took the Rani's hand in his and pressed it gently. Already hewas a slave to her will. Henceforth the form of Lachmi Bai filled hissoul with one aim above all others.

  "Ah, my Lord," she cried, turning a radiant countenance toward him."How long hath my heart pined for this hour--the hour when the scepterwhich was snatched from my grasp shall be placed in my hand; and thelaw of the Foreigner be no longer obeyed in Jhansi."

  "Surely it is thy right, noble Rani," he replied. "When then can thesignal be given"?

  "Now, to-night, to-morrow, at any time."

  "Then make certain that all is ready to-night, and let the signal begiven for to-morrow."

  The Rani beckoned her waiting woman to her side.

  "Go," said she. "Go swiftly, let it be known that to-morrow at noon,the tigress will break down the bars of her cage."