It was a year, now some while past, when a royal visitor came from a neighbouring country into India.
And in his honour at one great city in those Provinces the troops gathered and the tents went up.

Little towns of canvas, gay with bordered walks and flowers, were dotted on the dusty plains about and within the city.

Great ministers and functionaries came with their retinues and their guests.

Native princes from Rajputana brought their elephants and their escorts.

Thither also came Violet Oliver.