Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/112

 and an impudent one I am thinking, in spite of thy innocent looks and meek eyes. There is indeed a youth on whom I once worked the charm, brave and handsome, too, but much I suspect he is as false as he is fair. Maybe the youths of this land are gay deceivers, maybe the heart of my chosen slave owns some other image of love, while his smooth tongue seeks to beguile me."

Noren started. Was this a stray shot, or did that strange woman know more of his past life than he had imagined? There was a silence, and the two walked side by side to the end of the passage.

Jelekha opened a small gate, and a spacious courtyard lay before them, paved with red sandstone. The light of the stars fell on Jelekha's face, and its expression was strange. All traces of merriment were gone. She anxiously surveyed the courtyard from end to end with her keen eyes, peering into the darkness, and she listened to the footfall of warders and the sound of night-birds. A feeling of grave anxiety, almost of terror, darkened her brow, and she spoke in a whisper which was almost a hiss.

"Listen, young soldier. The time has come to clear up all mystery. Thou shouldst know all and brave all. This great fort, surrounded by lofty walls, is the fort of Agra. Thou mayst have guessed that, soldier, for such another fort exists not on earth."

"I guessed as much, Jelekha. But proceed, I will not interrupt you."

"What thou sawest from the roof of thy room is only the outer portion of the fort. The halls of audience and the quarters of the highest in the realm are there, and Imperial officers and guards watch