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88 power, why do I leave you? But I am other’s subordinate how can I stay further?"

"You have only the ashes of your former affection left for me. Otherwise you could have remained anyhow. When you have come, why can't you lengthen the stay?"

"I have had my say. My brother is a Manshabdar in the Moghul Army. He was severely wounded in an engagement with the Pathans in Orissa and his life was in jeopardy. I had heard the unwelcome news and with the Begum's permission came out on a visit to him. I delayed much in Orissa and it ill- behoves me to delay any longer. I did not see you for long so I came and spent a few days with you."

"What is the approximate date you gave the Begum in your time-table to reach back?"

Moti understood it to be the tanut flung out by Meherunnisha. She was no match for Meherunnisha in tilting polished and pointed home thrusts. However, she did not blanch at the banter and stood her ground well.

"Is it possible to fix an exact date in a three month's return journey?" replied Moti "I am already belated and any more delay may cause displeasure."

"Whose displeasure you risk?—Prince's or his chief Begum's!" added Meherunnisha with her world-bewitching smile.

"Why do you shame this shameless woman" rejoined Moti with a little confusion "I may incur the displeasure of both."

"But may I ask the reason why you don't publicly