Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/142

 of Musroor, and he likes not strange women passing in and out of the Zenana to-night."

Noren's heart beat violently, and his hand was already on the hilt of his sword beneath his woman's garb. But Jelekha knew better.

"Show thy mistress's ring, sister Nasima," said the Tartar slave with perfect calmness, "and the eunuch will answer to the Queen and the Begum if he disobeys the token."

Nasima shewed the ring. The guard bowed and let them pass.

Similar interruptions took place once or twice more. "He is at work," said Jelekha to herself, "and he has cast his net wide. But the fish will escape yet or I am not a Tartar woman."

Some Rajput women, belonging to the household of the Princess of Amber, had come to the river-side at this early hour, as was their wont. Their vessels were on the water-side, and the women were chatting and laughing. Their voices struck Jelekha's ears long before she saw them in the dark, and she paused and listened. She knew the voices and her plan was made.

"Why, my silly, awkward sister Nasima, thou art wet, and the water is streaming down the earthen pot. Thou hast knocked it against the wall and cracked it. Throw it away."

"Have done with this stupid joke, Jelekha. Here goes the vessel. Now tell me in plain words what I have to do. I hear the talk of some women before us, and we must avoid them."

"We must meet them, for they will help a silly girl who has not yet learnt to carry a water-pot on her head."