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 reins by twigs and shrubs. On releasing it, he found that it was tied by a quantity of human hair. The superscription ran thus:—

"Pray, Sir, do not open this letter for two days;—if you do so, the object intended by it will be defeated."

The Prince reflected a little, and decided in favor of the writer. He kept the note enclosed in his amulet, and giving a lash to his horse, rode for the camp.

The day after his arrival there, the Prince received another letter through a messenger. It was from Aesha; but of this in the next chapter.

Aesha sat down to write a letter. Her countenance was serious and grave. She was going to write to Jagat Singha. She took a piece of paper and began. She first wrote, "Dearer than life!" She immediately struck out the expression, and wrote, "Prince!" In doing so, tears streamed down her cheeks, and dripped upon the paper. Aesha tore it, and took up a fresh piece of paper. She had not written many lines, when it also shared the fate of its predecessor. Aesha destroyed it also; and at the third time finished a letter unsullied by a tear. She then began to read what she had written. While doing so, her sight was obstructed by tears. With difficulty she folded the letter, and delivered it to