When the priests returned to him, their heads bent before him a little.

It represented a salaam, as much as they had ever given to the king himself.

A glow ran over Umballa.
"Highness, we agree.

There will be terms." "I will agree to them without question." Life and power again; real power! These doddering fools should serve him, thinking the while that they served themselves.
"Half the treasury must be paid to the temple." "Agreed!" Half for the temple and half for himself; and the abolishment of the seven leopards.

"With this stipulation: Ramabai is yours, but the white people are to be mine." The priests signified assent.
And Umballa smiled in secret.