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 "Child"—said Bimala with a smile, "don't chide me without seeing all my ornaments."

Saying this, she drew out from her waist a sharp dagger, which she had hidden in her dress. It flashed like lightning on meeting the glare.

"Where have you procured it? Eh?" asked Tilottama, starting and looking blank.

"Havn't you seen," said Bimala, "a new maid-servant who came yesterday into the inner apartment?"

Til. "Yes, I have,—it is Ashmani."

"I have brought it in through Ashmani, from Abhiramswami."

Tilottama was surprised; her heart trembled.

After a while, Bimala asked, "Will you not change this dress to-night?"

"No," replied Tilottama.

"Neither will you go to the dancing and music?"

Til. "No."

Bi. "Still you will not be let alone."

Tilottama began to weep.

"Be calm and listen," said Bimala. "I have found means for your escape."

Tilottama eagerly looked at Bimala's face. The latter handed to her the ring given by Osman.

"Keep it with you," said she; "don't go to the merry-making. It will not end before midnight. I shall up to that time be able to keep the Pathan engaged. He knows that I am your step-mother; and I will make him restrain his desire to see you till the dance and music is over, under the pretext that you can't come