Gabrielle Festing
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 104
Get eBook
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...would meet Raja Maun on the shores of the lake by Udaipur. When the Raja and all his train reached the spot, there were the nobles of Mewar, and at their head was Umra, Pertap's eldest son; the Rana himself was nowhere to be seen. A feast was made ready, and Umra courteously begged Maun Singh and his followers to sit and eat; he would be their host, he said, since the Rana was suffering from violent headache, and could not appear to welcome his guests. Every one present knew as well as Umra that the true reason was that Pertap would not break bread with one who had allied himself with Delhi. "Tell the Rana I can guess the cause of his headache," retorted Maun Singh, " but no man can take his place. If he will not be my host, who will?" Pertap's answer to this message was clear and plain. "I may not eat with one who has given his sister to a Toork, and himself eats with Toorks." In wrath and shame Raja Maun rose from his place, leaving the feast untasted. "No food from your hand will I take," he cried, "save the grains of rice which must be offered to the gods. It was to save your honour that we sacrificed our own, and gave our sisters and our daughters to the Toork; abide in peril if you will; this country shall not hold you long." He gave the signal to his followers to mount their horses, and was about to ride away when the Rana himself strode down to see the last of his guests. At the sight of Pertap, scarred, haggard, his dress weather-stained and his arms hacked and dinted, yet a king manifest, Raja Maun's anger blazed forth--" If I do not humble your pride," he swore aloud, "my name is not Maun." Pertap's reply was calm and dignified--" I shall ever rejoice to...