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 poison—is venom more tormenting than your displeasure? Oh mighty king—light of the world—God's trusted representative—incarnation of justice and mercy—my only stay in life—where are you now? I shall, in obedience to your command, take poison with joy and alacrity, but it is my only regret that you will not be before me to see it."

A maid-servant, named Kariman, used to attend on the Begum, at ''Murshidabad. Dalani'' called the maid before her. She then gave all her ornaments to the woman and said, "Secretly, Kariman, very secretly, get me such a medicine from the physician as I may fall asleep never to rise again. Sell these ornaments to pay the apothecary's bill—the balance, whatever it may be, you may take for yourself."

Kariman saw that Dalani's eyes were full of tears and she could at once understand what Dalani had meant. At first she refused, but Dalani repeatedly offered her inducements and the foolish woman, at last, agreed to carry out the order for lucre.

The apothecary gave a medicine. Forthwith, one of Mahammad Taki's attendants ran to his