‘Very well. Richard is minded to confirm your appointment as Governor General of Mysore on a permanent basis. That is, if General Harris has no objections.’ He turned to Harris with a questioning look.

‘Objections? No, none whatsoever. Colonel Wellesley has performed his temporary duties with commendable efficiency. The city is back under control, the markets have reopened and he has established good working relations with the local officials. You have my full support for his appointment.’

‘Good!’ Henry nodded with some relief, and Arthur sensed at once that the situation could have been very tricky if Harris had taken any exception to the appointment.‘Then it merely remains to set out the scope of his authority.’ He flicked back a few pages in his notebook and scanned some written comments. ‘Richard has decided that the new Governor of Mysore should have supreme political power in Mysore, and to have command of all troops serving between the western and eastern ghats.’ Henry glanced up at Harris. ‘That is to say, once you have led the army back across the border to Vellore. Obviously Richard does not want to cause any difficulties over protocol.’

‘Obviously,’ Harris replied. ‘And what kind of force does your brother propose to leave here in Mysore?’

‘Given the need to clear out the remaining nests of rebellion, and that fellow . . . what was his name again?’

‘Dhoondiah Waugh,’ Arthur answered patiently.

‘Of course.’The pen dipped into his inkwell and scratched out a brief note. ‘Now, as I was saying, the force will need to be sufficient for the job. According to the advice Richard sought in Madras, two regiments of King’s cavalry, another two of the Company’s native cavalry, and three battalions of King’s infantry and six of the Company’s should suffice. In addition to a decent complement of artillery, of course.’ Henry looked up innocently. ‘That should be sufficient, wouldn’t you say, General?’

‘From a military point of view, yes.’

‘Is there any other point of view I should be aware of ?’

‘Only that the command of such a large force would normally be assigned to a general. I can think of one or two men who might feel aggrieved by the appointment of Colonel Wellesley to such a prominent position.’

‘I assume you are referring to General Baird? We had a copy of his official protest before I set off from Madras. He was . . . how shall I put it? Intemperate in his remarks.’

General Harris smiled. ‘I can well imagine. He made his first protest to me in similar terms. I advised him to moderate his opinions, or seriously consider leaving the army.’

‘Did you, by God?’ Henry looked pleasantly surprised. ‘That must have nettled him.’