'  What  do  I  hear,  Kasim  Ali — that  thou  wouldst  leave  my
service  ? '

'  Even  so,  Huzrut !  When  thou  wast  in  peril  of  thy  life,  mine
was  risked  freely,  though  others  hung  back. I,  and  he  that  is
gone — may  his  memory  live  in  honour ! — led  those  into  the
English  camp  who  might  have  ended  the  war,  had  Alia  so  willed
it. In  adversity  I  stood  by  thee,  and  I  have  not  quitted  thee
since,  for  these  six  years. Thou  art  now  prosperous  :  the  French
are  thy  friends ;  thou  art  courted  by  the  nations  of  Hind ;  thou
art  at  peace  with  the  English — long  may  this  continue — thou  art
prosperous  everywhere ;  and  now  when  all  is  fair  and  bright
around  thee,  I  would  in  the  season  of  joy  take  my  leave,  grateful  ■
for  a  thousand  benefactions  from  the  liberal  hand  of  him  who
has  not  ceased  to  uphold  me  since  I  was  a  youth.'

'  Thou  art  joking,  Kasim  Ali,'  said  Tippoo ;  '  and. yet  thou
hast  a  serious  face. By  your  soul,  say  this  is  not  meant  1 '

'  It  is  in  very  truth,  O  Prince !     I  have  long  meditated  it.,    I
waited  only  till  my  lord's  mind  was  happy  and  free  from  care  to
announce  it,  for  I  would  not  have  my  memory  Hnked  with  pain-
ful recollections,  but  with  pleasant  thoughts.'
The  Sultaun's  brow  darkened. '  Thou  art  considerate,  young


TIPPOO  SULTAUN. 417

man ! '  he  said  bitterly. '  When  I  was  happy  and  meiiy  in  my
heart,  thou  must  needs  mar  all  by  this  news. By  Alia !  I  would
rather  thou  hadst  told  it  when  the  storm  within  me  was  at  the
highest ;  but  no  matter ;  thou  hast  served  us  well  and  faithfully
— we  shall  long  remember  it;  nor  would  we  detain  any  one
against  his  will. We  have  (blessed  be  the  Prophet !)  hundreds
in  our  valiant  army  to  fill  vacant  places. Therefore  go — thou
hast  thy  leave. Yet  thou  shalt  not  have  it  to  say  I  was  churlish
in  this;  thou  art  dismissed  with  honour. Bring  hither  two
shawls,  a  turban,  and  an  ornament  for  the  head — also  a  noble
horse  from  my  stables,  and  a  sword  and  shield  from  the  private
armoury,',  he  cried  to  an  attendant. 