mit no one to their conference, and upon no account to allow him to be disturbed.

Before, however, we give a detail of the conference between the afflicted prince and his ambitious favourite, it may be necessary to present the reader with a portrait of the person who held the exalted office of deewan*, or prime minister to the nawaub.

His dark

Mahomed Ulee Khan, was a man of whose real character few had the least suspicion; and those few may be said to be only those poor and unfortunate victims, whose zeal and real regard for their prince had prevented their minds from being blinded by his prepossessing manners, and plausible conduct, while any open opposition could not have failed to draw on them sure marks of his displeasure. Tali in stature, his features regular, his limbs well formed; though rather of a slight than powerful frame, he showed a prepossessing exterior, and might be termed, in the general sense of the phrase, a handsome man. and fiery eye, hidden, at times, under his bushy, jet black eyebrows, would often, when roused, betray a quick, and by no means, common expression. At others, a peculiar contrast to his fine and manly bearing, might, to the keen observer, be perceptible, in the curve of his upper lip, which conveyed to the imagination of the beholder, a mean and decisive smile at times so plainly visible, that his royal master would cast a doubtful glance on perceiving it, when the quick and almost imperceptible change which the wily courtier would readily assume, would banish the momentary suspicions which might have pervaded the mind of the timid prince.

Mahomed Ulee Khan having seated himself at the corner of the humood+, or cushions, which in eastern apartments serve the purposes of chairs in European countries, on which the aged prince sat in deep, but smothered grief, and conscious of the unlimited confidence of his master, he thus began his cautious and well laid plot. Affecting a tone of grief, which his bosom was far from feeling, he poured forth hypocritical words of comfort into the ear of the confiding prince:-"The all powerful and protecting Ullah," said the wily noble, "will assuredly assist the right. In him let my royal master place his trust. Your slave, ere two days elapse, will doubtless succeed in discovering the place of your daughter's concealment. This done, your friends are powerful, and bound to your interests; by their assistance troops shall be assembled, and headed by my son, whose devotion to his prince is as undoubted as my own; we hope, ere long, to have the felicity of seeing the princess restored inviolate to her father's arms, and the head of the daring enemy laid at the royal feet. "

Watching, with a keen and scrutinizing glance, the effect of his advice, and urging, with all the consummate skill of which he was such a perfect master, proposals at once calculated to obtain the sanction of his prince, and, at the same time, further his own dark and ambitious

An office corresponding to gentleman usher, or groom of the chambers. Thick cushions of felt, generally covered with rich flowered silk, and used for seats.

prospects, assuaging, by expressions of unbounded fidelity and regard, the painful conflict which he saw raging in the bosom of the prince, Mahomed Ulee pointed out to him the utter inutility of giving way to despair. "His will be done," exclaimed the now composed nawaub, summon a general durbar, a public audience, and let every dependant and follower of my standard meet here on the ensuing morrow, when the necessary steps to be taken in this heart-rending affair shall be determined and arranged." The minister having uttered an audible prayer for his master's success, and making a respectful obeisance, withdrew.

It was after the deewan had retired from the palace, that the kiladar, who had observed him to issue from thence, but whom the minister had not observed, as he hurried onwards down the flight of steps which led to the entrance hall, where, throwing himself into his nalkee*, he was rapidly borne homewards by his bearers. The killadar having requested an audience, had obtained permission to introduce the stranger, at the opening of the appointed durbar.

Bright, indeed, was the sun which ushered in the day destined to be the witness of preparations and events as yet unknown to the public. Slowly rising, in majestic splendour, over the gilded dome of the royal palace, the morning luminary, throwing its bright rays over the mass of rich habiliments, and the waving pennons of spears which reflected their dazzling light, the spectacle presented to the eyes of the beholder, was as imposing as it was grand. The spacious court in front of the palace, was thronged to excess, and the busy murmur of the voices of the numerous attendants and servants of the nobles, afforded a striking contrast to the scene within. Here without were to be seen, equipages of every kind, palankeens, tonjons, nalkees, the bearers of which, in their loose coats of scarlet and yellow cloth, bearing on the arm and on the back, the devices embroidered in gold, silver, or silk, which denoted the rank of their masters; elephants with gorgeous howdahs and trappings of embroidered cloth and velvet; steeds prancing and neighing; chobdars or mace bearers, with massive, elegantly wrought silver maces; chiprassees, or running footmen, with badges, and bearing in their hands silver sticks, waiting in attendance, composed altogether a scene of eastern grandeur and magnificence, the description of which must fall far short of the reality. Within the palace a greater degree of order and decorum was preserved. A magnificent hall, supported on marble pillars, curiously arched and carved, the walls adorned with splendid full length mirrors, an article of European luxury and elegance, the introduction of which, into the houses of natives of rank and opulence, had of late years become generally adopted; the beautiful paintings on the ceiling, the subject, the Hindoo Apollo Krishna, frolicking in wanton dalliance, with the nymphs in the forests of Bindrabund, in all the glow of youth and beauty, the throne of crimson velvet, and the curtains of the doors to correspond, were strongly contrasted with the plainness of the snow white cloth, which formed the carpet of the

* A nalkee is a magnificent litter, used exclusively by nobles.

room, in which were to be seen groupes of nobles, in various places, engaged in conversation, while others, in slow and measured pace, traversed the spacious apartment. At some distance from the minister, who had taken his station beside the throne, stood the governor of the fort, in deep and close conversation with the stranger youth, who now appeared richly habited in vestment becoming his quality. At length, on a sudden, the busy hum of voices ceased, distant footsteps were heard, and the general rush which was made to occupy their respective places around the throne, proclaimed the approach of the nawaub, and all was death-like silence. A curtain was rapidly raised, and preceded by state servants, arrayed in gorgeous dresses, who, from time to time, in sonorous voices, proclaimed his titles. "Imteaz-ood Dowleh, Nazim-ool Moolk, Oomdut-ool Omrao, Nawaub Bahadoor Ulee, Bahadoor Awar Jung," the Orient potentate entered, and advancing to the throne, he there received the usual homage from his nobles and courtiers. The minister then advancing, requested permission to open the business for which the durbar had been held. The nawaub's eye, however, wandering over the circle, had noticed the stranger youth, and recollecting the governor's communication of the preceding day, signed him to approach.

Advancing with a respectful though, at the same time, a dignified carriage, Goolzar Khan prostrating himself, and having gone through the usual forms of ceremony, produced from within the folds of his vest a richly wrought, yet massive golden chain, which holding up to view, he respectfully exclaimed, " doth your highness know aught of this jewel?" at the same time laying it at his feet.

The surprise and astonishment of the nawaub may be more easily conceived than described, when in the chain, thus suddenly presented to his view, he recognized, at a glance, a family token. With a significant look towards the deewan, he suddenly arose, motioned with his hand to break up the durbar, and beckoning the stranger to follow, he silently left the hall, and led the way to a more private apartment, where being joined by the minister, he first seated himself, motioning them also to do the same.

Abruptly, though with a voice tremulous, from the workings of his apprehensions, he asked the youth in what manner he had become possessed of the gold chain, to which the stranger replied, that his story was long, yet, with his highness's permission, he would relate it.

This being assented to, he commenced his narrative in the following words:

My father, by name Nuzeeb Khan, by cast a Patan, was a man of good family by descent, being the son of an opulent zemeendar, or land holder in the kingdom of Oude. On the death, many years since, of my grandfather, the estate following the natural order of succession, descended to his eldest son, my father, in whose undisturbed possession it

* The most distinguished in the state—The ruler of the country-The chief of nobility-Nawaub Bahadoor Ulee, Bahadoor-The champion in war. Titles conferred by the sovereign, on Eastern noblemen, and considered, by them, of similar honor to the stars and ribbands of European potentates.

might, perhaps, have even now remained, had not the misconduct of my elder brother been such as to bring us under the suspicion of the late ruler of Oude. Wulee Khan, my brother, had ever evinced a wild and ungovernable disposition; disclaiming all controul; he held filial affection and paternal duty equally in derision. Such was his conduct as a boy that my father, in lieu of holding up the elder son a pattern for the imitation of the younger, warned me against following the example of my brother, whom he pointed out not as a light-house for my guidance, but rather as a beacon to avoid. As a youth, his turbulent disposition ever led him into quarrels, and at length, connecting himself with a band of youths, as dissolute as himself, he suddenly left his father's house after having robbed him of a considerable sum.

For a long time we knew not whither he had gone, until at length we gained some intelligence of him, though from a quarter from whence we little expected to receive it; my father, to his astonishment and dismay, learned, through the medium of a friend at the court of the sovereign, that his name had lately become an object of suspicion to the ministry, a situation of no little danger, in a governmeut conducted upon principles of despotism. Loosing no time, my father hastened to the Dar ool Sultunut, hoping by his prompt appearance at the durbar, to testify to the Aitemad ood Dowleht, his unabated loyalty, and, at the same time, to learn the cause from which it had become so unjustly suspected. On his arrival at Lucknow, he gained intelligence, for the first time, of his absent son. It appeared, that on leaving his paternal home, he had joined the followers of Pirthee Singh, an opulent bandit chief, who had long been in open insurrection against the government; under the orders of this chieftain my brother had lately headed several disturbances, attacking peaceful villages, and laying waste, by fire and sword, whole districts; taking advantage of the season of the periodical rains, which had that year commenced with unusual violence. Wulee Khan, at the head of about an hundred horse, committed every kind of excess, safe from any attack from the weak and undisciplined troops in the royal pay, though carefully avoiding to commit any ravages, or even approach near any of those towns in the immediate vicinity of which were stationed the Feringhee troops, lent to and in the pay of the Oude government, and safe indeed from these, even had their services been called forth, as precluded from marching against the rebels, by the inundated state of the country, where every petty stream and rivulet soon assumed the appearance of deep, broad, and almost impassable rivers.

My father had enemies at court, for indeed, what opulent man has not? By their insinuations the mind of the minister had been prejudiced against him, and in learning this account of his reprobate son, he found the premier's mind strongly impressed with the idea, that the father was in secret collusion with the son. Succeeding, though with

The abode of royalty, i. e. the capital-Lucknow.

The hope of the state; a title of honor always conferred by the sovereign on the vizier or prime minister.

the utmost difficulty, in proving, by witnesses, and other concurrent testimony, his total ignorance of the resort of his son, and having estabilished, to the apparent satisfaction of the minister, his undiminished loyalty to his government, he returned to his home, but with feelings, far different from those which he had entertained on leaving it. Indignation, at the fickle conduct of the arbitrary ruler, who on mere report had brought his loyalty under suspicion, involving his fame, his honor, and his fortune, he saw clearly, that though he had, for that time, succeeded in repelling the iniquitious attempts of his enemies, yet that he would nevertheless, be viewed as an object of suspicion for the future, the consequences of which might not so easily be guarded against; he saw before him the probable confiscation of property, seizure of his person, and confinement for life; acts of tyrannical oppression but too common in all eastern countries, ruled by absolute monarchy, these probable consequences he determined to avoid by emigration.

Placing, therefore, his zemindaree in the hands of a distant relative, who engaged to remit him annually the half of the proceeds, he laid his zemindaree accounts before the minister, which being promptly passed, for in this respect he had always been remarkably regular, he obtained the royal assent to the transfer of his zemindaree, and to his own departure. He accordingly purchased an estate at Surpuraz Nuggur, a large city in the territories of the India Company, but situated on the confines of Oude, to which he removed with his property and family; the latter then consisted of myself, with a younger sister, with a few servants, male and female, and here we resided for some months, in perfect tranquility.

One night, my father feeling the heat within doors oppressive, proposed to me a short walk, previous to our retiring to rest; I assented, and accompanied by two attendants, and an armed servant, we walked out, and leaving the city, we directed our steps towards the fields in the vicinity. We were both armed with a sword, without which, no respectable person ever moves out of doors. It was a fine star light night, the moon rode high in cloudless beauty, shedding her bright beams upon the unconcious earth, and illuminating the dark recesses of the mangoe grove, through which we now traced our steps. All was hushed in silence, save the barking of the village dogs, and the occasional hoarse voices of the watchmen, and here and there, was a flickering light, visible from some window. With his hand placed on my shoulder for support, and conversing in a low tone, we had not proceeded above an hundred yards from the grove, when suddenly two men, closely muffled up, and well armed, attended by about a dozen followers, rushed out of the coppice. Our cowardly menials fled, leaving us to our fate; we drew our swords, and I brought one of our assailants to my feet, but before I could repeat the cut, I fell to the ground, stunned by a blow given unseen from behind, and what further passed, I know not.

On recovering my senses, I found myself stretched on the ground, in a dark and gloomy vault. In a distant recess, burned faintly a nearly extinguished lamp-I endeavoured to rise, but found myself too weak for the attempt. Resigning myself to patience, I laid myself