back on the cushion, and this time lit a cigarette, smoking lazily.

"The stake that I am playing for--the stake that I shall surely win," she
said after a minute, "is too big to be risked. If you are afraid, let us
forget all that I have said. Let us be friends and nothing more."

Tess did not answer. She recognized the appeal to her own pride,
and ignored it. What she was thinking of was Gungadhura's beastliness--
his attempts to poison Yasmini--his treatment of women generally--
his cruelty to animals in the arena--his viciousness; and then, of how
much more queenly if nothing else, this girl would likely be than ever
Gungadhura could be kingly. It was tempting enough to have a hand
in substituting Yasmini for Gungadhura on the throne of Sialpore if the
chance of doing it were real.

Yasmini seemed able to read her thoughts, or at all events to guess them.

"When I am maharanee," she said, "there will be an end of Gungadhura's
swinishness. Moreover, promises will all be kept, unwritten ones as
well as written. Gungadhura's contracts will be carried out. Do you
believe me?"

"Yes, I think I believe that."

"Let Tom Tripe find that silver tube in your cellar then. But listen! When
Gungadhura comes to your husband and insists on digging elsewhere,
let your husband bargain like a huckster! Let him at first refuse. It may
be that Gungadhura will let him continue where he digs, and will himself
send men to start digging in the other place. In that case, well and good."