"
For the Rajputs take counsel with their women who are wise.
They were silent, each weighing the force of resistance that
could be made; and this the Rani knew even as he.
"It cannot be," she said; "the very ashes of the dead would
shudder to hear. Shall the Queens of India be made the sport of
the barbarians?"
Her husband looked upon her fair face. She could feel his heart
labor beneath her ear.
"True, wife; but the barbarians are strong. Our men are tigers,
each one, but the red dogs of the Dekkan can pull down the tiger,
for they are many, and he alone."
Then that great Lady, accepting his words, and conscious of the
danger, murmured this, clinging to her husband:-
"There was a Princess of our line whose beauty made all other
women seem as waning moons in the sun's splendour. And many great
Kings sought her, and there was contention and war. And, she,
fearing that the Rajputs would be crushed to powder between the
warring Kings, sent unto each this message: `Come on such and
such a day, and thou shalt see my face and hear my choice.' And
they, coming, rejoiced exceedingly, thinking each one that he was
the Chosen.
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