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 "Shall I also permit these?"

"That's your option;—I can't say," said the guide.

"Well," said the man, and prohibited the women to enter. Aesha removed her veil and said,

"Sentry, allow me to enter. If you incur any censure for it, lay it all to my account."

Seeing Aesha, the guard was surprised. He bowed and said with joined hands,

"Your Highness, pardon your humble servant. To you no place is forbidden."

Aesha entered the prison. She was not smiling then, but her features having a habitual expression of smile, it seemed as if she had been smiling. What a grace then sat on the dark brow of the dungeon; it was no longer a prison.

Aesha saluted the Prince and said,

"Prince! what's the matter?"

What was the Prince to reply? He simply pointed with his finger to the prostrate Tilottama.

"Who is she?" asked Aesha, after seeing Tilottama.

"The daughter of Virendra Singha," answered the Prince, reluctantly.

Aesha took up Tilottama in her lap. Any other female in her situation would have hesitated—would have calculated, but Aesha at once took Tilottama in her lap.

Whatever Aesha did, looked beautiful; she could do every thing gracefully. When she took Tilottama in her lap, both Jagat Singha and the attendant thought, "how beautiful!"

Aesha had brought vessels of rose-water, sherbet, &c. through her maid. She now fell to reviving Tilottama with these. The