A History of the Mahrattas v2.c32.147

v2.c32.147

The ministers very soon became jealous of each other: Nana Furnuwees was too cautious to take the lead in an infant government; but, like the generality of men who have risen by revolution and who seldom appear in the foreground, he supported Sukaram Bappoo as the person likely to have most weight and consideration with the public. This conduct in him proceeded as much from timidity as design. Sukaram was an old, cautious, time-serving courtier, but he was a man of much more courage than Nana Furnuwees, and in the humble and assiduous attention of his colleague and adherent he did not foresee a future rival and a powerful foe. Such, indeed, was the influence of Sukaram Bappoo that his secession from the cause of the ministers, which Nana often apprehended, would have ruined them. One circumstance not generally known, which was used by Nana as an instrument of ambition, was the power he had acquired over the mind of the regent Gunga Bye; for, although a profound secret at the time, the young widow was deeply enamoured of Nana Furnuwees, and was taught by him the best means of governing the old minister.