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 woman should meet a stranger and a soldier unknown to her lord. But our position sometimes makes this necessary, and there have been women of my faith who have sat on a throne and led an army."

Did the daring woman who spoke thus have some vision of the future, some secret ambition of filling the proudest throne in Asia and leading brave troops in the field?

There was a slight pause, and Mihr-un-Nissa then asked again: "Tell me, brave Zemindar, do the Chiefs of Bengal sometimes have wars and dissensions among themselves, forgetting their duty to the Empire? For so I have heard."

"There are hereditary rivalries between old Houses, great lady, which sometimes lead to disturbances. But the Chiefs seldom forget their duty to their Imperial Master."

"Has your House, for instance, any hereditary foes?"

"Our House, noble lady, and the neighbouring House of Debipur have been rivals, and often foes, for three hundred years and more. But nevertheless we respect each other, we serve the Empire with equal fidelity, and there have been frequent alliances to bring these rival Houses closer together."

"That is as it should be among great Houses. But you arouse a woman's curiosity, brave Chief, when you speak of alliances," added Mihr-un-Nissa, with an arch smile. "Did you never think of forming such an alliance with a soft-eyed maiden of Debipur before Raja Man Singh took you to his wars?"

Noren cast his eyes on the ground, and the pink curtains of the room were not ruddier than his crimson brow. Did this wonderful woman know of his past