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matter of your successor. Kumar Radhakishor will be nominated by you today. That will be a welcome announcement.’
    Birchandra’s face, which had been flushed and ponderous with self esteem till now, crumpled like that of a child’s. Signalling to the courtiers and his hookah bearer to withdraw, he leaned over to Radharaman and whispered, ‘I want to postpone the announcement. We can see about it next year.’ Colonel Thakur almost recoiled with shock but Radharaman’s face did not register even the mildest surprise. ‘That will have disastrous consequences,’ he said quietly. ‘Why?’ the Maharaja’s voice had a pleading note in it. ‘Why should one year’s delay make a difference? I’m strong and healthy. I’m not likely to die in a —’
    â€˜May you live to be a hundred Maharaj. All your subjects hope and pray for it. But consider the kumar’s age. He has left his youth far behind and is now a man, strong and sensible and mature enough to shoulder the responsibilities of state. If he is given charge of some of your affairs you could devote more time to your music, painting and photography.’
    â€˜Then give him some responsibility. Let him collect the rents. And open a few schools.’
    â€˜It is imperative that he gets his rightful title first. Are you reconsidering the matter Maharaj?’
    â€˜I didn’t say that. I do not question his right or ability. I only wish to postpone the announcement.’
    â€˜That will come as a blow—not only to him but to many others.’
    â€˜You’ve been talking about it then!’
    â€˜I’ve only told one or two people. But these things can’t be kept secret.’
    â€˜What is likely to happen if I withhold the announcement? Do you fear that the prince will revolt against me?’
    â€˜He won’t. He is gentle and unassuming. And he respects you. But I cannot vouch for his followers. They may flare up. The prince is extremely popular.’
    â€˜But you must know that Mahadevi Bhanumati wields a lot of power in the palace. And she hasn’t withdrawn her claim on behalf of her son. What if she incites the Manipuris against me?’
    Colonel Sukhdev cleared his throat and said, ‘We’ve considered that already Maharaj. Our spies are in their camp. According to reports received, Kumar Samarendra’s followers, though disturbed and angry, are not yet ready for action. They are voicing the opinion that the queen consort’s son should be king but that’s all. They lack the power to revolt.’
    â€˜Kumar Radhakishor must be given control over the police force before his nomination,’ Radharaman said, ‘Then no one will dare oppose him.’
    â€˜Kumar Samarendra’s ambition must be nipped in the bud,’ Colonel Sukhdev Thakur added, ‘Or else there’ll be trouble —’
    Suddenly the king flew into a temper. Grimacing horribly he glared at his bodyguard. ‘How much money has Radhakishor bribed you with, you rogue,’ he shouted, ‘that you pimp for him so shamelessly? Am I dead already?’ Then, rising, he rushed out of the room down the gallery and out of the lion gates. His chest heaved with indignation and helplessness at the situation in which he had been caught. But peace descended on his soul the moment he stepped out into the open. A soft breeze floated about him cooling his fevered brain and his eyes beheld the autumn sky, clear as glass and spangled over with tiny stars. A moon, lustrous with ten days of waxing, rained its beams on him, soft and white like the powdery pollen of flowers. It seemed to him that the moon was a woman, a beautiful woman, and that she was smiling at him.
    Torches flared at his entry and a thousand voices rose in welcome. But he heard nothing; saw nothing. He walked towards the brilliantly lit dais as if in a trance and sat down to receive hissubjects. One by one,