filled the gap with an inquiry. "Does Your Highness
have first-hand knowledge of America?"
"Sadly
no. I have not yet had the good fortune to visit your country. But I do meet
many American visitors here, such as yourself, and I take pleasure in reading
your newspapers even though several months old."
"And
then, of course," Sir Joshua entered the conversation for the first time,
"Your Highness does employ American engineers at the mine."
There
was a noticeable pause. "Indeed. But they will not be here much longer.
Our own men have been trained with sufficient competence to take charge
shortly." He took another appreciative sip of his whisky. "An
excellent malt, Sir Joshua. I compliment you on your choice. But I see that you
are making me drink alone."
At
a snap of Sir Joshua's fingers, a bearer sprang forward to serve him a whisky
and Olivia a frosted sorbet. Sir Joshua raised his glass. "To your health,
Your Highness, and to the continued prosperity of your mine." The Maharaja
acknowledged the toast with a gracious inclination of his head. The slight
gesture caused the light of a Chinese lantern to catch in the jewelled ruby
brooch affixed to his yellow ochre turban and its sudden spark of fire so
dazzled Olivia that she had to squint her eyes. "I have learned that the
Kirtinagar mine is already considered to have better potential than
Raniganj?" Sir Joshua's comment was casual but his forehead was beaded
with perspiration.
"Yes.
Excavations and predictions are encouraging."
If
Sir Joshua was even aware of his royal guest's reluctance to talk of the
subject, he chose to ignore it. Instead he continued to ply him with questions,
all of which the Maharaja answered readily but with replies that were
noncommittal. It seemed to Olivia, as she listened in interested silence, that
his quietly dark Eastern eyes against a complexion of ripening wheat were alert
and that his medium height and slender build gave him a mildness that was
deceptive. Beneath the immaculate courtesy there was still arrogance, the
manner of one born to power, of generations of controlled breeding that had
perpetuated forever strict codes of ethics, honour and chivalry. The very
casualness with which the Maharaja's fingers rested lightly on the bejewelled
handle of his sword was that of a man who took for granted his destiny to rule
over others.
"The
very first Indian-owned and operated coal mine is of prime interest to the
merchant community, Your Highness," Sir Joshua was saying. "I have no
doubt Your Highness, with his reputed business acumen, is already aware of
that. The project shows considerable foresight on your part, Your Highness,
especially since it can be of mutual benefit."
Olivia's
interest quickened. So this was the native prince who would "sell his
mother" if pleasured well and if the price was right! Observing Arvind
Singh now, Olivia wondered. His concentration was flatteringly close as he
listened; but even though it was Sir Joshua who was doing most of the talking,
in some strange, subtle way it was the Maharaja who seemed to control the
conversation. The man, Olivia decided, was shrewd.
"How
soon does Your Highness propose to make the coal commercially available in
Calcutta's markets?" Sir Joshua asked with just a hint of impatience,
since Arvind Singh's reaction to his compliments remained bland.
"That
is difficult to say, Sir Joshua. You see, I am not yet certain that it will be
made commercially available. I am anxious to introduce industries within
Kirtinagar, and my domestic requirements might not allow for any surplus."
The smile that accompanied the blunt declaration was one of continued
graciousness.
Sir
Joshua's jaw tightened perceptibly. "A British consortium would be willing
to offer extremely favourable terms that might help considerably in, for
instance . . . ," he took a sip of whisky and allowed a minim to pass,
"... Your Highness's irrigation project. Naturally, part payment would be
made in advance."
For
the
have first-hand knowledge of America?"
"Sadly
no. I have not yet had the good fortune to visit your country. But I do meet
many American visitors here, such as yourself, and I take pleasure in reading
your newspapers even though several months old."
"And
then, of course," Sir Joshua entered the conversation for the first time,
"Your Highness does employ American engineers at the mine."
There
was a noticeable pause. "Indeed. But they will not be here much longer.
Our own men have been trained with sufficient competence to take charge
shortly." He took another appreciative sip of his whisky. "An
excellent malt, Sir Joshua. I compliment you on your choice. But I see that you
are making me drink alone."
At
a snap of Sir Joshua's fingers, a bearer sprang forward to serve him a whisky
and Olivia a frosted sorbet. Sir Joshua raised his glass. "To your health,
Your Highness, and to the continued prosperity of your mine." The Maharaja
acknowledged the toast with a gracious inclination of his head. The slight
gesture caused the light of a Chinese lantern to catch in the jewelled ruby
brooch affixed to his yellow ochre turban and its sudden spark of fire so
dazzled Olivia that she had to squint her eyes. "I have learned that the
Kirtinagar mine is already considered to have better potential than
Raniganj?" Sir Joshua's comment was casual but his forehead was beaded
with perspiration.
"Yes.
Excavations and predictions are encouraging."
If
Sir Joshua was even aware of his royal guest's reluctance to talk of the
subject, he chose to ignore it. Instead he continued to ply him with questions,
all of which the Maharaja answered readily but with replies that were
noncommittal. It seemed to Olivia, as she listened in interested silence, that
his quietly dark Eastern eyes against a complexion of ripening wheat were alert
and that his medium height and slender build gave him a mildness that was
deceptive. Beneath the immaculate courtesy there was still arrogance, the
manner of one born to power, of generations of controlled breeding that had
perpetuated forever strict codes of ethics, honour and chivalry. The very
casualness with which the Maharaja's fingers rested lightly on the bejewelled
handle of his sword was that of a man who took for granted his destiny to rule
over others.
"The
very first Indian-owned and operated coal mine is of prime interest to the
merchant community, Your Highness," Sir Joshua was saying. "I have no
doubt Your Highness, with his reputed business acumen, is already aware of
that. The project shows considerable foresight on your part, Your Highness,
especially since it can be of mutual benefit."
Olivia's
interest quickened. So this was the native prince who would "sell his
mother" if pleasured well and if the price was right! Observing Arvind
Singh now, Olivia wondered. His concentration was flatteringly close as he
listened; but even though it was Sir Joshua who was doing most of the talking,
in some strange, subtle way it was the Maharaja who seemed to control the
conversation. The man, Olivia decided, was shrewd.
"How
soon does Your Highness propose to make the coal commercially available in
Calcutta's markets?" Sir Joshua asked with just a hint of impatience,
since Arvind Singh's reaction to his compliments remained bland.
"That
is difficult to say, Sir Joshua. You see, I am not yet certain that it will be
made commercially available. I am anxious to introduce industries within
Kirtinagar, and my domestic requirements might not allow for any surplus."
The smile that accompanied the blunt declaration was one of continued
graciousness.
Sir
Joshua's jaw tightened perceptibly. "A British consortium would be willing
to offer extremely favourable terms that might help considerably in, for
instance . . . ," he took a sip of whisky and allowed a minim to pass,
"... Your Highness's irrigation project. Naturally, part payment would be
made in advance."
For
the
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