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 on the strange girl who stood smiling by the bedside, her dagger now sheathed.

"Methinks thou sleepest too long, young soldier. The appointed hour hath come."

Noren got up and smiled. "Thou shalt not find me unprepared, fair girl, if thou wilt grant me a moment to put on my soldier's dress and sword."

"Other duties hast thou to do than those of a soldier, and other garments hast thou to wear tonight. I have brought these for thee."

Noren examined the garments and then threw them down.

"Why, these are the garments of a woman," he exclaimed.

"They are."

"And they befit not a man and a soldier."

"I thought thou hadst spoken brave words and pledged thy devotion, in life and in death, to her who seeks thy aid," said Jelekha, with a wicked twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her mocking lips.

"Ay, in all that beseems a man," was the cool reply of Noren.

Jelekha smiled again—but the smile soon disappeared. She brought her face close to Noren's ear and whispered: "Thy life and mine, and the honour of a high lady, depend on thy compliance, soldier Noren! Do thy duty as a soldier, time presses."

Noren submitted in silence. An ample petticoat, such as is worn by women in Northern India, was fastened over his soldier's belt and sword. The bodice defied Noren's clumsy endeavours until Jelekha came and helped him with a smile. Some