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 again, pour, for God's sake. What's this? What's this? Bimala has risen up and begun to dance. How beautiful! what a manner! The glass! What a person! What a frame! Katlu Khan, my lord! have patience! patience I say! You are in a flame! Ah! Katlu's body is burning! The cup! ah! the cup! Ha! what again? Again the laugh! again the glance! Wine! wine! What is is, eh? Kanchali?

What's that, my lord? What's that?

The circle of women rose up with a chorus of laughter, and fled.

Suddenly the lamp went out; Katlu Khan cried "Where are you, my charmer?"

Laying one hand on Katlu's shoulder, Bimala said,

"Your slave's at your feet, lord." Her other hand held the dagger.

Katlu Khan drew Bimala to her breast, and embraced her deeply. The next moment he shrieked out frightfully, cast her away at a distance, and sank in the bed. Bimala had sent her sharp dagger to the hilt into Katlu's breast.

"Vile murdress! damned wretch!" exclaimed he; his throat gurgled he spoke.

"No murdress, no wretch, but the widowed wife of Virendra Singha!" said Bimala, and off she went.

Katlu was fast losing his speech; still he kept up crying with all his might. Bimala too ran and cried. On reaching another room she heard some people talking. She flew like wind. She found some guards and eunuchs in the next room. Hearing the cry and seeing her flurry, they asked,

"What's the matter?"