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 After this, Kulsam related to them, in detail, what happened on the night, she and Dalani Begum had called at the commander-in-chief's place. She had heard from Dalani all about the conversation the Begum had with Gurgan Khan, on that fatal night and so, could tell her hearers all about it; she also related how the Begum had been prevented by the commander-in-chief from re-entering the castle—how the strange hermit had come to their help—how they had got shelter in Pratap's house—how Dalani had been carried away from there by the English, who had mistaken her for Shaibalini and lastly, how after Amyatt's death, Dalani had been cast on the isolated bank of the Ganges by wicked Foster. She then said,

"There is no doubt that Satan had come upon me, at that moment, or why should I leave the Begum alone? The pains and sufferings of that wicked Englishman had moved me, and I—but let that go; it was my belief that the Nawab's boat was coming after us and that the Begum will be taken on it, or why should I leave her alone there? But, I have been sufficiently punished for my folly. To speak the truth,