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 Mahammad Taki. Then let me tell you the real story. I wrote to the Nawab that you had beeh living in Amyatt's boat as his mistress; hence the fatal order.

Hearing this, Dalani contracted her eye-brows; her broad forehead, which was hitherto without a furrow, now shrunk into wrinkles, as if, the placid bosom of the Ganges was suddenly stirred up into ripples. Mahammad Taki was frightened at this sight. Dalani then asked in a dignified voice, "Why did you write so?" Mahammad Taki related to her everything and when he finished, Dalani said, "Let me see the royal message again." He again handed over to her the Nawab's letter. She read it through and through and examined it very closely—she was convinced that it was really the Nawab's message. She, therefore, asked, "Where is poison?" Dalani's words surprised Mahammad Taki beyond measure. The coward said, "What will you do with poison?"

Dalani. What is the Nawab's order?

Mahammad Taki. He has commanded me to put an end to your life with poison.

Dalani. Then, where is poison?