noon
Tchajawadse , who accidentally found himself close to Edith before starting , said nothing , although he certainly looked keenly at her for a moment . The bad reports of the health of the Maharajah of Chanidigot , which spread through the camp , were sufficient explanation why he made no attempt to regain possession of the beautiful fugitive . He was said to be suffering from such violent pain and fever , caused by his wounds , that he had practically lost all interest in the outside world . Having taken a hearty leave of their Indian hosts , the Russian detachment advanced further into the hilly country , and at noon spies reported to Prince Tchajawadse that the English had completely evacuated Ambala and had set out on the march to Delhi . Probably the strength of the Russian division , whose advance had been reported , had been greatly exaggerated at Ambala , and the English had preferred to avoid a probably hopeless engagement . With a woman 's cleverness , Edith managed , without attracting observation , to keep near Heideck , so that they often had the opportunity of conversing . Her tender , fair skin must have appeared striking amongst all the brown faces , but the will and caprice of Russian officers demanded respect , and so no one appeared to know that there was an English lady in the troop wearing the costume of a rajah .