Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/136

 veins could disobey. Noren bowed to the ground and presented the hilt of his sword to the Fair Persian. She touched the hilt, and perhaps not unconsciously touched the hand that held the sword. That light touch sent a thrill through the soldier's veins and sealed his fealty to that wonderful woman.

"My husband," resumed Mihr-un-Nissa, "is going as Jaigirdar in the district of Burdwan. How far is that from your estate, my friend?"

"I have often done the journey down the river in our fast boats in one day, my lady, and there is a day's march by land to the town of Burdwan."

"That is not far for a young soldier like you," said Mihr-un-Nissa, with a smile, "and the gates of our Burdwan house will ever be open to receive with befitting honours the Lord of Birnagar."

"Your permission, kind lady, to pay my respects to your lord is the highest honour I could receive."

"Nay, you must come in state as a Chief on a visit to a brother Chief. And if the custom of your race and country permits it, your lady will find in her Moslem sister a faithful friend who never forgets a friend."

A shadow passed over Noren's face, and he spoke in an almost inaudible voice. "I have no lady, noble Begum. I never married."

The keen eyes of Mihr-un-Nissa saw the pale expression on Noren's face, and a woman's curiosity was roused.

"Pardon me, brave Chief, for my mistake. But few men of this land remain unmarried at your age, and Chiefs of your race and religion are anxious, I understand, to leave their estates to worthy heirs. Perhaps the Fates have willed otherwise in your case, and if these matters bring back sad recollections to you I will proceed no further."