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 husbands—what a pity, I have taken so much time to understand this simple thing!"

The ascetic took his seat on a small piece of carpet—the women sat down on the floor. Dalani first disclosed herself, and then made a frank statement of what had happened in the night.

Hearing her, the ascetic thought within himself, "Who can prevent the inevitable? What will be, will be. But for all that, one should not lose heart and deny action—I must do what I should."

Alas, pious hermit! Why did you burn into ashes your valuable books? All books may be reduced to ashes, but the wonderful book of heart is proof against all fire.

The ascetic then said to Dalani, "My advice to you is, that you should not appear before the Nawab, all on a sudden. First, write to him what has happened, in details. If he still bears to you affection, he will surely beileve your statement. You should appear before him when you get his permission."

"Who will carry my letter?" inquired Dalani.

"I will send it," was the good ascetic's kind reply.

Dalani then asked for paper, pen and ink.