Eastern as the scene was, the actors were
for the most part English. Although the crowd that promenaded the
terrace was composed principally of men, of whom the majority were
in uniform of one sort or another, the rest in evening dress, there
were many ladies among them.
At the end of one of the terraces a band of the 103d Bengal Infantry
was playing, and when they ceased a band of native musicians, at
the opposite end of the terrace, took up the strains. Within, the
palace was brilliantly lighted, and at the tables in one of the
large apartments a few couples were still seated at supper. Among
his guests moved the Rajah, chatting in fluent English, laughing
with the men, paying compliments to the ladies, a thoroughly good
fellow all round, as his guests agreed. The affair had been a
great success. There had first been a banquet to the officers and
civilians at the neighboring station. When this was over, the ladies
began to arrive, and for their amusement there had been a native
nautch upon a grand scale, followed by a fine display of fireworks,
and then by supper, at which the Rajah had made a speech expressive
of his deep admiration and affection for the British. This he had
followed up by proposing the health of the ladies in flowery terms.
Never was there a better fellow than the Rajah. He had English
tastes, and often dined at one or other of the officers' messes.
He was a good shot, and could fairly hold his own at billiards.
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