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PRITHI RAI 297 the darkness of the dungeon, was this the choice that his daughter would make ? What else could she mean by such a defiance ? But scarcely had he strode a foot's length from his place when a tall horseman from amongst the crowd was seen to stoop down over the form of the Princess, and, lifting her to his saddle, gallop off out of sight, followed by another. For Prithi Rai and his friend Chand had not failed to be present at Sanjogata's swayamvara, knowing well that though the King of Delhi was not amongst the guests, yet no other than he to whom her heart was given would be chosen by the peerless daughter of Kanauj.

And then the festive hall became the scene of a council of war. The King of Kanauj swore a mighty oath that to the enemies of Delhi he would henceforth prove a friend. The outraged princes added their promises to his, and runners were sent across the border with letters to Mahmoud of Ghazni, offering him the alliance of Kanauj in his warfare against Prithi Rai. The day that had dawned so brightly went down in darkness amidst mutterings of the coming storm. For the wedding day of Sanjogata was to prove the end of all the ages of the Hindu knighthood.

A year had passed. To Prithi Rai and his bride it had passed like a dream. Amongst the