Very greatly they wept, and no men were seen, for
their livers were black within them for shame as the Treasure of
Chitor departed, nor would they look upon the sight. And across
the plains went that procession; as if the stars had fallen upon
the earth, so glittered the sorrowful lights of the Queen.
But in the camp was great rejoicing, for the Barbarians knew that
many fair women attended on her.
Now, before the entrance to the camp they had made a great
shamiana [tent] ready, hung with shawls of Kashmir and the
plunder of Delhi; and there was set a silk divan for the Rani,
and beside it stood the Loser and the Gainer, Allah-u-Din and the
King, awaiting the Treasure.
Veiled she entered, stepping proudly, and taking no heed of the
Moslem, she stood before her husband, and even through the veil
he could feel the eyes he knew.
And that Accursed spoke, laughing.
"I have won-I have won, 0 King! Bid farewell to the Chosen of the
Palace - the Beloved of the Viceregent of Kings!"
Then she spoke softly, delicately, in her own tongue, that the
outcast should not guess the matter of her speech.
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