MISSING RANEE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 18

MISSING RANEE

KEEPING STRICT PURDAH

"Ac amusing littlo comedy' was played out at Grosvcnor llouso at a magnificent farewell banquet given by the Maharajah of Alwar to his fellow delegates at the Indian Round Table Conference and to London hosts and hostesses who have entertained him," slates a writer an tho "Daily Mail." - '" I "The Maharajah was anxious that tho Maharanee .should be present, but I as! she keeps strict .purdah it was not| possible-for her to appear :among .the guests in tho banqueting hall. . Tho most elaborato arrangements-;—which tojpk the hotel authorities 'three, days to perfect—were planned so, that she might dine, see, and hear all ,that went on, and yot not bo seen by the general company. ' • .■ "A flight of steps leads up-to a\small landing at one end of tho hall, and at tho back of .this landing a round table was laid for throe —the Ranee' and two members of her suite. A curtain of closely-woven whito Indian muslin hung from floor to ceiling, a yard or two in i'ront of tho table, draping tho steps. A shrouded lamp burned overhead, aJid folds of black, crepe-like material • fell behind the seats placed for the three diners. One of the hotel waiters was told off to carry the dishes through tho specially guarded • ante-room and hand them to the Indian server-belong-ing to tho Maharajah's suite, who was ill attendance on the Ranee. 1 "Half-way through the banquet I was taken to see the little alcove .planned by-the Maharajah for his TJance. It was unoccupied.I''The Ranee?' I asked my guide. 'She is not here. She is indisposed,' was tho reply." But later it was learned that she had become frightened because it was known that she was to be present, had feared' a possible invasion of her secret alcove, and had dined, quietly at her 'own. hotel."'