"I couldn't do it.
It would be madness." Shere Ali raised his head and said with a smile, "I am glad they are not playing the tune which I once heard on the Lake of Geneva, and again in London when I said good-bye to you." And then Violet sought to comfort him, her mind still working on what he had told her of his life in Chiltistan.
"But it will become easier," she said, beginning in that general way.

"In time you will rule in Chiltistan.

That is certain." But he checked her with a shake of the head.
"Certain?
There is the son of Abdulla Mohammed, who fought against my father when Linforth's father was killed.

It is likely enough that those old days will be revived.

And I should have the priests against me." "The Mullahs!" she exclaimed, remembering in what terms he was wont to speak of them to her.
"Yes," he answered, "I have set them against me already.