Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/127

 a Hindu, and one of the worthiest and noblest of her race."

"Pardon me, Mihr-un-Nissa," said the Prince, rebuked and humbled, "I came not to speak disrespectfully of my loved mother, or of my august father, in spite of the wrong he has done me. I came to repair that wrong, and it depends on you, Mihr-un-Nissa, to help me if you will. My plans are prepared."

"You speak mysteriously, Prince. Explain yourself."

"You have only to retire and live in concealment for a few brief months or weeks and all will end well. Sher Afghan will consent to divorce you for a promise of reward from me ten times richer than my father has bestowed upon him. The Mullas will sanction the divorce when a Prince demands it; and even in the lifetime of my father you can be my wedded, my cherished wife."

"A very excellent plan, Prince," replied Mihr-un-Nissa, as her red, thin lips were curled in mockery, "but you forget one or two small details. I know my husband, as brave a man as ever drew a sword, and not the wealth of your Empire nor the fear of death will induce him to part with a wife whom he honours and loves. And within a few months or weeks your humble servant, instead of being your wedded wife, will be away in the fair Province of Bengal, for so your father has willed and arranged."

"And do you think, Mihr-un-Nissa, that I, a trained soldier, have not made my arrangements too before I came to seek you? Two Tartar women, who well know the use of the steel, wait outside this door.