I cannot choose my own friends." "Your Highness will forgive me, if I say that it is for your own safety, and for the peace of the country that your minister watches over you so jealously; and doubtless he thinks that, having been the chief adviser to your family, for so many years, having guarded it so successfully from those who would have lessened your authority, for the present it is of the greatest importance that he should continue to guide the state." "I am, at least, very glad that he allows me a companion of my own age, to whom I can talk freely." "On all subjects, Your Highness, excepting state matters.

Nana presented me because I was ignorant of the court, and knew nothing whatever of intrigues, and was not likely to take any part in them.
Therefore, Your Highness, I pray you but to speak upon ordinary matters; be assured I am your devoted servant, but the courtiers would grow suspicious, were you to talk of state matters with me.
These things speedily become known, and I should fall under Nana's displeasure." "Perhaps you are right," the Peishwa admitted, in a tone of melancholy.

"No doubt, whatever passes in this house is known to my minister; and indeed, it is his duty to make himself so acquainted.
Still, I feel it hard that I should not have one friend to whom I can speak." "The time will come, Prince, when you will be able to do so and, doubtless, there will be at hand those who will dare to have your confidence." The prince was silent but, after this, he abstained from any remarks to Harry concerning the state.

He had, indeed, for some time been in correspondence with Bajee Rao, who had gained the confidence of one of those appointed to look after him and, though there was nothing save expressions of friendship on the part of both princes, Nana was furious when he found out, from his spies, what was going on.
The news came as a shock to the minister.

Nana had been the greatest enemy of the house of Rugoba; and the discovery of this correspondence, and the friendship between the two young men, so threatened his authority that, after ordering that Bajee Rao and his brothers should be more strictly confined than before, he visited the Peishwa and upbraided him bitterly for having entered upon a friendship with the head of a party which had harassed his family, and had brought innumerable troubles on the state.