The Prince of India, vol 2 | Page 6

"Treat the safeguard as a discovery of to-day, and have it removed
while the people are all present." She looked at him searchingly. On her
forehead between the brows, he beheld a line never there before. More
surprising was the failure of self-reliance observable in her request for
counsel. Heretofore her courage and sufficiency had been remarkable.
In all dealings with him she had proved herself the directress, quick yet
decided. The change astonished him, so little was he acquainted with
the feminine nature; and in reply he spoke hastily, hardly knowing what
he had said. The words were not straightforward and honest; they were
not becoming him any more than the conduct suggested was becoming
her; they lingered in his ear, a wicked sound, and he would have
recalled them--but he hesitated.
Here a voice in fierce malediction was heard up at the pavilions,
together with a prodigious splashing of water. Laughter, clapping of
hands, and other expressions of delight succeeded.
"Go, Sergius, and see what is taking place," said the Princess.
Glad of the opportunity to terminate the painful scene, he hastened to
the reservoirs and returned.
"Your presence will restore quiet at once."
The people made way for their hostess with alacrity. The hamari, it

appeared, had just arrived from the garden. Observing Lael in the midst
of the suite of fair ladies, he advanced to her with many strange
salutations. Alarmed, she would have run away had not Joqard broken
from his master, and leaped with a roar into the water. The poor beast
seemed determined to enjoy the bath. He swam, and dived, and played
antics without number. In vain the showman, resorting to every known
language, coaxed and threatened by turns--Joqard was self-willed and
happy, and it were hard saying which appreciated his liberty most, he
or the spectators of the scene.
The Princess, for the time conquering her pain of heart, interceded for
the brute; whereupon the hamari, like a philosopher used to making the
best of surprises, joined in the sport until Joqard grew tired, and
voluntarily returned to control.
CHAPTER XII
LAEL TELLS OF HER TWO FATHERS
Word passed from the garden to the knots of people on the height:
"Come down quickly. They are making ready for the boat race."
Directly the reservoirs, the pavilions, and the tesselation about them
were deserted.
The Princess Irene, with her suite, made the descent to the garden more
at leisure, knowing the regatta would wait for her. So it happened she
was at length in charge of what seemed a rear guard; but how it befell
that Sergius and Lael drew together, the very last of that rear guard, is
not of such easy explanation.
Whether by accident or mutual seeking, side by side the two moved
slowly down the hill, one moment in the shade of the kingly pines, then
in the glowing sunshine. The noises of the celebration, the shouting,
singing, calling, and merry outcries of children ascended to them, and
through the verdurousness below, lucent as a lake, gleams of color
flashed from scarfs, mantles, embroidered jackets, and flaming
petticoats.

"I hope you are enjoying yourself," he said to Lael, upon their meeting.
"Oh, yes! How could I help it--everything is delightful. And the
Princess--she is so good and gracious. Oh, if I were a man, I should go
mad with loving her!"
She spoke with enthusiasm; she even drew her veil partially aside; yet
Sergius did not respond; he was asking himself if it were possible the
girl could be an impostor. Presently he resolved to try her with
questions.
"Tell me of your father. Is he well?"
At this she raised her veil entirely, and in turn asked: "Which father do
you mean?"
"Which father," he repeated, stopping.
"Oh, I have the advantage of everybody else! I have two fathers."
He could do no more than repeat after her: "Two fathers!"
"Yes; Uel the merchant is one of them, and the Prince of India is the
other. I suppose you mean the Prince, since you know him. He
accompanied me to the landing this morning, and seated me in the boat.
He was then well."
There was no concealment here. Yet Sergius saw the disclosure was not
complete. He was tempted to go on.
"Two fathers! How can such thing be?"
She met the question with a laugh. "Oh! If it depended on which of
them is the kinder to me, I could not tell you the real father."
Sergius stood looking at her, much as to say: "That is no answer; you
are playing with me."
"See how we are falling behind," she then said. "Come, let us go on. I

can talk while walking."
They set forward briskly, but it was noticeable that he moved nearer her,
stooping from