As Harry drew rein at the farm Soyera ran out, followed by her brother and Anundee, with cries of joy at his unexpected return.

It was nearly fifteen months since she had last seen him; though he had, when opportunity offered, sent messages to her assuring her that he was well, and hoped ere long to be able to come over to see her.
"I should scarce have known you," she said, "in those fine clothes of yours.

You sent word that you were an officer in the Peishwa's service; but I hardly thought that you could be so much changed.
You have grown a great deal, and are now much taller than Ramdass's sons." The worthy farmer and Anundee were also delighted to see him.
"How long are you going to stay ?" the former asked.
"Only till tomorrow, at daybreak.

I have to ride forward, with all haste, to Poona; for I have been on a mission for Nana Furnuwees." "Surely it is not so important that you cannot stay a few hours, Puntojee ?" "It is of importance.

You may have known that Nana has placed Bajee Rao on the musnud, and he has installed himself as his minister; thereby defeating the plans of Balloba and Scindia, who will probably come along here with their whole force, in a day or two." Late that evening, when the others had retired to bed, Soyera and Harry had a long talk together.
"Have you thought, Harry," she asked, after speaking for some time about his doings and position at court, "of joining your people again?
There is peace between the Peishwa's court and the English.
There is a British Resident at Poona and, as you have now gained a certain rank there, you could go to him with a much better face than if you had come direct from here, as a peasant.