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DURGESA NANDINI.
185

The Prince felt as if an adder had stu?ng him; he started and slightly drew himself up. Katlu Khan went on,

"The orphan—I am a sinner—O thi?rsty!"

Aesha repeatedly poured the drink into his mouth. But now articulation became difficult. He breathed hard and said,

"I burn!—I burn!—chaste—you'll see that."

"What?" asked the Prince.

His voice entered like a thunder-peal into Katlu Khan's ear. He continued,

"Never saw—so chaste—didn't see—didn't touch—you—how thirsty!—O I die, I die, dear Aesha."

No more articulation. He had exerted beyond his power. His exhausted head fell down dead on her lap. Aes?ha's? name was the last word which Katlu Khan articulated, as the flickering spirit went out into the darkness of death, and life and the world passed away from him.



CHAPTER XVIII.

HOSTILITY.


After regaining his freedom, Jagat? Singha went to his father'?s camp; and?, as promised, brought about the conclusion of a treaty between the Moguls and the Pathans. The latter acknowle?dged