The Young Rajah | Page 7

however, to find you here, as I thought that you were far away--either
in Pegu or at Delhi. Are you at liberty, my dear Burnett, or can you get
leave of absence? If you could accompany me, you would be of the
greatest possible assistance."
"Most fortunately, I obtained leave of absence for six months, only
yesterday, and was contemplating making a shooting excursion with
Knox and Jones; but they must excuse me, and I will devote myself to
your service," answered Captain Burnett.
"Thank you, my dear fellow; thank you," exclaimed Reginald. "Your
experience and knowledge of the people will smooth away many
difficulties which beset my path, and I gladly accept your kind offer. I
feel somewhat selfish, as I know you sacrifice your own convenience
for my sake."
"Don't talk about that, Reginald," said Captain Burnett. "If you have
nothing better to do, come to my quarters and inspect my sporting gear.
We may get some shooting on the way; I always try to combine
amusement with business."
"I will join you before long; but I have a visit to pay first to some
friends who came out in the ship with me, and unless they detain me I
shall soon be at liberty."
"You can easily excuse yourself; and I shall expect you at dinner, at all
events," said Captain Burnett.
"But I would, I confess, rather dine with them, if they ask me,"
answered Reginald. "You would excuse me if you knew how I am
circumstanced."
"Is a fair lady in the case?" asked Captain Burnett. "You need not say
so; I am sure of it. Take care, Reginald; don't get entangled. Young
fellows are apt to do so, and to be sorry for it afterwards. Come, let me
advise you to leave your card at your friends, with a message that you

are bound up country; and that will settle the matter. The lady will be
married by the time you come back again."
"That I am sure she will not," exclaimed Reginald. "She is totally
unlike the ordinary run of girls."
"Well, well! Take my advice in this matter, as you are ready to do in
others, and retain your freedom of action," said Captain Burnett, in a
serious tone.
Reginald, parting from his friend, hurried on, hoping to find Violet
alone. A dark-skinned porter, in white dress and with turban on head,
opened the door, and inquired his name. The sahib was not at home,
and Miss Ross could receive no visitors, said the servant.
"Take up my card, and say that I am waiting," replied Reginald.
The porter, after carefully examining the card, gave it to another
servant. The man gave a peculiar look as he obeyed the order. He was
some time absent, and when he returned he delivered a note addressed
to Reginald in Violet's handwriting. He did not venture to open it in the
presence of the servants; but as soon as he got outside the house he
eagerly scanned the few lines it contained.
"My father has positively forbidden me to see you," she wrote. "He
hopes that time will obliterate your image; but that is impossible. Trust
to me, as I do to you.--Yours, Violet."
Reginald was naturally bitterly disappointed; but yet he had faith in
woman's constancy, and he went his way with hopes unabated, feeling
sure, from what he knew of Colonel Ross, that he would use no harsh
measures to compel his daughter to act contrary to her own inclinations.
Still, he could not feel otherwise than pained and anxious. By the time,
however, that he reached his friend's quarters, he had somewhat
recovered his serenity of mind. He kept his own counsel, simply
observing that Colonel Ross, on whom he had called, was not at home;
and Captain Burnett forbore to ask further questions.

He had plenty of amusement in examining the rifles and various
articles which Captain Burnett had prepared for his intended shooting
expedition.
"You must accept this rifle from me, Reginald," he said, presenting a
first-rate weapon; "and this brace of pistols. You may depend on their
never missing fire, if properly attended to. And let me advise you
always to load them yourself; never trust to a servant. I always do as I
advise; one's life may be sacrificed from carelessness."
The following day the friends, attended by Dick Thuddichum and four
native servants, were on their road to the north-west.
They had to proceed, for a considerable distance, up the river Ganges,
in a budgerow. Though rudely built, she skimmed merrily over the
water when the breeze was favourable. She was decked all over with
bamboo; and on the after-part was erected a cottage of bamboo, which
served as a cabin and baggage-room. In the fore-part were two small