From the first I shrank from all contact
with the present Rajah. I distrusted him, and it is obvious now that
my distrust was well founded. What do you say, Stafford? You, too,
were against having anything to do with him."
To his surprise and annoyance, Stafford did not respond. He stood
there with his hands clasping the back of the chair, his brows knitted
in painful thought.
"Come, Stafford, what have you to say?" the Colonel repeated
impatiently.
"I think there is a good deal in what Nicholson says," Stafford
answered, speaking as though he had only just heard that he was being
addressed. "The Rajah has not been well treated. He has a right to
feel bitter. And he seemed a fine sort of man. Without prejudice,
Colonel, one can not withhold a certain admiration for him. He has
behaved better than some of us."
Colonel Carmichael frowned, but his sense of justice forced him to a
reluctant admission.
"Yes, he has a few showy virtues. Yesterday, for instance. Under
the circumstances, he behaved like a gentleman and a man of honor.
Before nightfall the English share-holders in the mine got their
money back in gems and rupees--he must have pulled the palace to
pieces. In fact, everything might have gone off smoothly if it hadn't
been for that--that--" He coughed and glanced at Stafford, not without
a touch of malicious satisfaction.
"You are alluding to Miss Cary, Colonel," Stafford said, returning his
glance with dignity, "and you are at liberty to say what you like, for
I have no longer the right to champion her.
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