FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

FILMINDIA August 1942 of Kuldeep Singh. He need not have feared; unfaithfulness was not in Ratnavali's nature; she was as utterly honourable as Kesar Singh. So their friendship endured frankly, and was an abiding happiness to both; until a day came when Kesar Singh sought audience of the Maharani on matters which were, he said, of some urgency, albeit they concerned himself alone. Padmavati watched him enter; her heart burned within her. Tn that moment she hated both him and the Maharani so passionately that there was literally nothing she would have done to hurt them. She searched her mind for a means; and, of a sudden, found one. Without a second's hesitation she went straight to the Maharajah. In the Maharani's room Kesar Singh stood before his Queen, a very splendid figure of a man. His face was graver than she had ever seen it. "What is your news, Kesar Singh?" she said. "Lady", said Kesar Singh, "I have decided to leave the Maharajah's service." She stared at him amazed. "But why?" she exclaimed. "What is amiss0 Are you weary of your work? — you have shown no signs of it. Are you dissatisfied? You know you have only to voice your grievance. Have you enemies? No man in high position is without them. Also I think you are above such petty things. What is your true reason, Kesar Singh?" "Lady," said Kesar Singh, "that ] may not tell you. But my decision is irrevocable." "Nevertheless," said the Maharani, "I still desire to know why you are leaving." "I ask your Majesty not to insist." "I do insist," said the Maharani Kesar Singh was silent f >r a moment before he spoke. "Majesty," he said at length, "you and I have long been friends, for which sweet graciousness I shall thank you all my life. But it cannot go on, for I find that I love you .... Therefore I am leaving the Maharajah's service; and, I think, the kingdom also. It is the only thing to do." "Yes," the Maharani agreed most sorrowfully, "It is indeed the only thing to do." He bent his head. "It may be, Majesty, that I shall see you again," he said, "but this is farewell between us." Then bowing low with folded hands, he left her. * * * Padmavati found the Maharajah in his armoury. There was a guard at the door, for he had been in conference with his generals and still sat brooding over maps and plans. "I have a private message from the Maharani," Padma told the guard, and he let her through. The Maharajah, grizzled and lierce-eyed, looked up as she entered. "What is your message, Padma?" he asked briefly. "Majesty," Padma said, beginning to tremble a little — for she was daring much — "I lied to the guard. I bear no message. I have come of my own accord to speak of a matter which 1 think badly needs attention." Kuldeep Singh's deep-set eyesi searched her wide, rather frightened ones keenly. "Speak," he said. "I am a little afraid to — perhaps your Majesty will think that I am taking too much upon myself. Yet truly it is only for my Lady's sake >» "Speak, I say!" said the Maharajah impatiently, and she dared falter no longer. "Majesty — it concerns Kesai Singh. 1 will be frank — he is in love with the Maharani. and seizes every opportunity of trying to force his attentions upon her. Even now he is in private audience with her, at his own request — " She ceased, for the Maharajah's brow had darkened ominously. He rose to his feet, and she shrank from the unveiled fury in his eyes. ■ "See that he suffers it. Moreover let it be a fitting one. Let one of his own beasts trample him to death. 60