A History of the Mahrattas v2.c43.32

v2.c43.32

A principal object was to gain the confidence of the young Peishwa, to which the rarities he had brought from Hindoostan, and the splendid spectacle with which he had been gratified, paved the way. The frank, unreserved manners of Sindia, who talked to the young prince of hunting and hawking, and carried him out on frequent excursions to see those field sports, were things so very different, and so much more agreeable than the sedate and grave observance of decorum habitual to Nana Furnuwees, that Sindia soon became his constant companion. Parties to the country in the neighbourhood of Poona constantly took place, to which the young prince was invited, and Nana thought it advisable to give his assent, although he clearly saw the design of Sindia, and watched his proceedings so vigilantly that it was difficult for him to find opportunities of conversing with Mahdoo Rao unobserved. When they did occur, Sindia never failed to comment on the manner in which he was treated, and to assure him that he had both the power and the inclination to render him independent of such tutelage. But although Mahdoo Rao readily entered into every scheme of pleasure suggested by Sindia, his natural good disposition and judgement rendered it by no means easy to shake his confidence in Nana Furnuwees; and at first he combated Sindia’s arguments with warmth; but the customary restraints before unfelt began to be irksome, and Sindia’s society proportionally more desirable.