by C. A. Frazer
CHAPTER VI.
A subdued light stole through the latticed windows of the house of JundaKowr, revealing a court whose hush and shadow contrasted with the busylife that Atma had left behind him. The silence and pleasing coolnesswere in harmonious unison with the gleaming alabaster arches, and thesubdued loveliness of arrangement was more agreeable to sense than LehnaSingh's ornate magnificence. A lace-like screen hung before a loftyrecess. So plain it seemed that one wondered at seeing it motionless inthe breeze made by the silken punkah swinging slowly to and fro beforeit. It was of most delicately wrought ivory, and veiled from the courtwhere female attendants flitted noiselessly about a group of threepersons engaged in earnest conversation. One, a woman whose black eyeshad none of the languor of her race, reclined among embroideredcushions. The splendour of her jewels proclaimed the Ranee. Emeralds,rubies, and diamonds glittered on brow and arms. Before her on acushion lay a carefully folded and voluminous letter. Lal Singh lolledat her side, and his gaze like hers was fixed on the ingenuouscountenance of Atma Singh, who stood before the Ranee. She wore no veil,and as Atma encountered the gaze of her bold black eyes, he rememberedthe sneer of Lehna Singh.
"Come near," she commanded; "you come to me from our good friend, LehnaSingh. Let me hear what word you bring from him."
"I come, Maharanee," replied Atma modestly, "to obey your behests in allthings, but especially to undertake a perilous mission, which I amassured will result in benefit to the faithful adherents of the Khalsa,as well as to the interests of your highness and the Maharajah."
"I have heard," said the Ranee, "much of your devotion, courage, andunswerving integrity, which render you peculiarly fitted for anenterprise requiring singular daring and fidelity. Lehna Singh has notscrupled to say that peril of life itself will even be welcome to sobrilliant a spirit."
Her mocking tone brought the blood to Atma's cheek, he scarce knew why.
"It is the high calling of a Sikh," said he, "to encounter danger, andby the sword to confirm the Khalsa."
"It is a training that makes good soldiers," returned the Ranee, "but asmy claims may prove less potent than those of the Khalsa, I promise thaton your successful return you shall receive from my hands rare andcostly jewels, and gold whose yellow lustre will bid the treasuries ofthe world to open."
"On the other hand," interrupted Rajah Lal, "remember that if we arebetrayed, from that moment you are surrounded by countless and powerfulfoes, whose revenge you shall not elude."
The lion-heart of Atma beat high at this threat, to which he deigned noreply.
"My reward has been named, Maharanee," he said, "than which the worldcan hold no dearer. I will fulfil your embassy and return to you, butthe prize for which I labour needs no enhancement to make it worthy."
The Maharanee sought the eye of her companion with a glance ofsatisfaction, but the Rajah's gaze was rivetted on Atma, whilst hisfeatures were distorted as if by a moment's uncontrollable rage. Thetransport passed as quickly as it had come, and he sank back to hisformer negligent posture. But the Ranee had seen, and a look of startledand angry intelligence lighted her eyes.
Her instructions bound Atma to convey to Golab Singh the letter beforeher, which Rajah Lal placed as she spoke in a casket. It was anexpedition of some peril, as the country was occupied by the British andtheir native allies, to whom a messenger on his way to any court must bean object of suspicion. In addition to this the friendly reception atthe Court of Jummoo of an envoy of Junda Kowr was altogether a matter ofconjecture.
Further directions regarding his movements in Kashmir would, the Raneeinformed him, be conveyed to him from time to time by trusted servants.
"A female servant," she said, "by name Nama, has frequently beenemployed by me on missions requiring great tact and caution. Her I willshortly send to the borders of Kashmir, and if you repair in fittingseason to the Sacred Well of Purity you will there receive from her anycommunication I may have to make." The subject of the fateful sapphireshe lightly dismissed. "If we receive through this slave a good reportof the demeanour of this new-made Rajah, this horse-boy in my husband'sservice, Rajah Lal Singh will join you at the court of Kashmir, and therecovery of the missing jewel, which I am told forms a prominentornament in Golab Singh's attire, will then no doubt engage theattention of you both."
At present it was evident that the introduction of an emissary of JundaKowr into the councils of Golab Singh was the chief end in view. Nothought of danger entered the heart of Atma as he went out from thepresence of the Maharanee to enter upon an enterprise which was to be inits course and issue as unlike the anticipations of his ardent heart asis the solemn pilgrimage of life unknown to the dreams of childhood.
The affront of a threat and the alluring promises of riches were alikeforgotten, and the star that led his exultant steps shone with thetwofold radiance of love and loyalty.