This, you see, will be virtually a step in rank, and I shall hold my land direct from the English, instead of from a prince who has become, in fact, a puppet in their hands." A few days later, the army set off on its march from Mysore, and the same day the Rajah, after making his adieus to Lord Cornwallis, started with his troop for Tripataly, making his way by long marches, instead of following the slow progress of the army.

After a couple of days at Tripataly, they went down to Madras, and brought back the Rajah's household.
The meeting between Dick and his mother was one of mixed feeling.

It was twenty months since the former had left with his uncle, and he was now nearly eighteen.

He had written whenever there was an opportunity of sending any letters; and although his position as interpreter on the staff of the general had relieved her from any great anxiety on his account, she was glad, indeed, to see him again.
Upon the other hand, the fact that, as the war went on, and fortress after fortress had been captured, no news came to her that her hopes had been realised; and that the war had now come to a termination, without the mystery that hung over her husband being in any way cleared up, had profoundly depressed Mrs.Holland, and it was with mingled tears of pleasure and sorrow that she fell on his neck on his return to Madras.
"You must not give way, Mother," Dick said, as she sobbed out her fears that all hope was at an end.

"Remember that you have never doubted he was alive, and that you have always said you would know if any evil fate had befallen him; and I have always felt confident that you were right.