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 outer fort. His head would be cut off if he was found in the Royal Zenana, my friend."

"Command me then and I obey."

"Nay, sister Nasima, we are fellow-slaves, and who am I to command? I serve Queen Jodh Bai, and thou servest Begum Mihr-un-Nissa, and we have both been bidden to fetch water. Dost comprehend?"

"I do," said Noren, bursting into laughter in spite of his vexation. "And Heaven grant I may not serve as a girl again."

"Nay, but what an awkward girl thou art, sister Nasima. Why, thy hair is all coming on one side. Did not thy mother teach thee to tie thy hair knot when thou wert a child? Let me put it right—so—so—so, that is correct. And pull thy bodice down straight, it is all going into creases and scarcely hides thy bosom. What an untidy, shameless girl thou art! Balance thy water-pot on thy head, put thy left arm on thy waist, put thy left foot forward, and swing thy right arm as thou goest. Why, that is better, sister; thou wilt yet learn to be a decent palace girl if thou heedest my words, and the Begum, thy mistress, will reward thee with more rings."

Noren had half a mind to throw the water-pot on the head of the laughing girl who was tormenting him thus. Sometimes stumbling over stones, sometimes splashing in the water, he patiently followed his guide.

A guard who patrolled the river-side stopped them. "She is Nasima, slave of Begum Mihr-un-Nissa," said Jelekha, pointing to her companion, "and I am Jelekha, slave of Queen Jodh Bai."

"But she is a stranger in this palace," replied the guard, "and I know her not. I obey the orders