reflect. He felt that Dalani was no more his own—she was Mir Kasim's. She might have some affection for him as her brother, but she was far more affectionately attached to Mir Kasim. When she had come to know, or would come to know, that her brother was other than a well-wisher of her husband, she might do harm to the brother, for the good of the husband. So, she should not be allowed to re-enter the castle. Gurgan Khan called out the attendant. An armed retainer appeared before him. He sent orders through that man that the sentinels must not allow Dalani to get into the castle.
The messenger on horse-back reached the gate of the castle earlier. Dalani arrived there at the proper hour, and heard that her admission into the castle was prohibited. The news proved a terrible shock to her—she could no more remain standing—she gradually sat down on the ground, like a torn creeper. Tears came out of her eyes in torrents, and she exclaimed,
"Brother, you have deprived me of my only shelter in this world!"
"Let us go back to the commander's place," said Kulsam, in despair.
"You better go there. I shall have a place under
68
