LUCKNOW. 
145 
thick purdahs gave us no hopes of a peep. The usual messages 
were carried across by the eunuchs, and she informed Colonel 
Scott that she meant to proceed to Mecca, as soon as she had 
married some of her nephews and nieces. I however suspect the 
design will never be put into execution: she is rich, and is con^ 
sidered as under the protection of the English. Our suwarrys were 
not admitted into the garden ; it was a high compliment that I 
was permitted to approach so near, for Colonel Scott informs me 
that a miserable room on the outside is the usual place of audience. 
Presents were tendered as at the Vizier's, and two shawls were 
taken. Wreaths of artificial flowers and foil were thrown around 
our necks. 
Mr. Ouseley gave a dinner to me, at which his Excellency was 
present. He was in high spirits, and excessively civil to me ; he said, 
that now visits of ceremony were over, he hoped we should be on 
the most intimate terms — ^that all he had hitherto done was in con- 
sequence of Lord Wellesley's wishes, notified to him by the Resi- 
dent ; but that now he should endeavour to prove to me that he 
could do much more out of personal regard. On taking leave, he 
put his hand into mine, and in that manner accompanied me to the 
door. On returning home, I found the old Begum had sent me a 
dinner^ which at no time would be particularly good, and of course 
was not much mended by waiting three hours. My servants were 
well pleased at getting it; her people were equally satisfied with 
twelve rupees for bringing it. The General sent ninety -six rupees to 
be distributed among my servants, and the Begum twenty for the 
same purpose. According to the custom of the country, my own 
servant, as my head domestic, might have appropriated to himself 
