Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 2.djvu/65

 subject with a command of temper, and a dignity that I greatly admired. "What must the Mahāraj do? Cannot this evil fate be averted? Must she go to Benares? Tell us, Mem sāhiba, what must we do?" said one of the ladies in attendance. Thus called upon, I was obliged to give my opinion; it was an awkward thing to tell an exiled Queen she must submit,—"The cudgel of the powerful must be obeyed ." I hesitated; the Bā'ī looked at me for an answer. Dropping the eyes of perplexity on the folded hands of despondency, I replied to the Brija, who had asked the question, "Jiska lāthī ooska bhains,"—i.e. "He who has the stick, his is the buffalo !" The effect was electric. The Bāiza Bā'ī and the Gaja Rājā laughed, and I believe the odd and absurd application of the proverb half reconciled the Mahāraj to her fate.

I remained with her Highness some time, talking over the severity of the orders of Government, and took leave of her with great sorrow; the time I had before spent in the camp had been days of amusement and gaiety; the last day, the unlucky Tuesday, was indeed ill-starred, and full of misery to the unfortunate and amiable ex-Queen of Gwalior.