'  Well,'  asked  the  Khan,  '  how  fared  you  with  the  lady  your
mother  after  you  left  me  ? ' '


TIPPOO  SULTAUN.  33

•Well,  excellently  well,'  was  the  reply;  'she  made  some
opposition  at  first,  but  was  reasonable  in  the  end'

'  Good  !  then  I  have  no  blame  on  my  head,'  he  said  laughing ;
'  but  tell  me,  when  shalt  thou  be  prepared  ? '

'  Now,  Khan  Sahib,  even  now  am  I  ready  j  speak  the  word,
and  I  attend  you  at  once.'

'  Why  then  delay,  Kasim  ?  Bismilla  !  let  us  go  at  once ;  the
Khanum  is  well,  and  if  thy  gpod  mother  can  but  give  us  a  plain
kicheree*  we  will  set  off  soon ;  the  day  is  cloudy  and  there  will
be  no  heat'

'  I  will  go  bid  her  prepare  it :  and  when  I  have  put  on  some
traveUing  garment  better  than  this.  Khan  Sahib,  and  got  out  my
arms,  as  soon  as  thou  wilt  we  may  be  in  our  saddles.  I  am
already  impatient  to  see  the  road.'
_  The  meal  was  soon  despatched  by  master  and  servant — the
camels  loaded — the  horses  saddled.  No  one  saw  the  farewell
Kasim  took  of  his  mother ;  but  it  was  observed  that  his  cheek
was  wet  when  he  came  out  of  his  house  accoutred  and  armed, —
a  noble  figure  indeed,  and  one  which  drew  forth  an  exclamation
of  surprise  and  gratification  from  the  Khan.
CHAPTER    V.
