Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/113

 there day and night. The Princess of Amber, one of the Queens of our Emperor, has her Guest House there for her astrologers and physicians. Raja Man Singh is her nephew, and at his special request thou wert brought into one of the rooms of the Guest House for treatment, when none hoped to see thee live. Royal physicians have tended thee in thy illness."

"The noble Raja has indeed been good to me and to my House. He rewarded me when I deserved punishment; he saved me when I was at death's door."

"He is as great and powerful as he is noble and kind. Thou knowest perhaps that his sister is wedded to the Emperor's eldest son, Selim, who will be Emperor hereafter."

"Yes, so I have heard."

"Thou wilt see him to-night."

"See Prince Selim?"

"Prince Selim and his mother, and another wonderful person whose image is impressed on his heart."

"Thy words are strange, Jelekha. Can man's eyes, save those of the royal family, light on these ladies of the Harem?"

"Man's eyes, save those of the royal family, have not seen them; but dost thou forget that thou art a woman, and my sister, to-night?"

The young soldier had a brave heart, but his face was bloodless as he saw into the designs of Jelekha. To step in disguise into the Royal Zenana, guarded by a hundred guards, was death. But Jelekha gave him no time to think.

"Beyond this courtyard thou seest a lofty wall of stone. That wall screens the residence of the Queens and Royal Begums of Agra. Thou shalt cross that