"Somehow I knew you would come." And what she had seen in his eyes had made her tremble visibly for the first time that day.
She was conducted back to the palace.

The populace howled and cheered about her palanquin to the very gates.

Not in many a big rain had they had such excitement.
The fury in Umballa's heart might have disquieted Bruce had he known of its existence.
Kathlyn, arriving in her chamber, flung herself down upon her cushions and lay there like one dead, nor would she be comforted by the worshiping Pundita.

Bruce had saved her this time, but it was not possible that he could repeat the feat.
Having convinced Umballa and the council that she would not marry her persecutor, the council announced to the populace that on the next fete day the queen would confront the lions in the elephant arena.

What could one man do against such odds?
Lions brought from the far Nubian deserts, fierce, untamable.
That night there was a conference between Bruce, Ahmed and Ramabai.
"They have taken my guns away, and God knows I can't do the impossible.
Where the devil were your camels, Ahmed ?" "Umballa has his spies, Ramabai," said Ahmed, smiling, as he got into his bheestee rags, which Ramabai had surrendered willingly enough: "Ramabai, thou conspirator, what about the powder mines you and your friends hid when the late king signified that he was inclined toward British protectorate?
Eh?
What about the republic thou hadst dreams of?
Poor fool! It is in our blood to be ruled by kings, oppressed; we should not know what to do with absolute freedom.