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CHAPTER VII.


On the outskirt of the city.


Luthfunnisha entered another chamber and closed the door. For full two days she cloistered herself inside the room. In these two days she determined the course she would follow. She arrived at a conclusion and set her mind upon it. The sun went low. Luthfunnisha began preparing her toilet with Peshman's help. It was a strange toilet as it had no evidence of a female make-up. She looked up the dress in the mirror and asked "How now, Peshman? Do you recognise me?"

"Impossible."

"Let me start then. See neither man nor maid follows me."

Peshman timorously added "If you pardon your slave, then she may ask one thing."

"What?"

"What is your object?"

"Final separation between Kapalkundala and her husband for the present. He shall be made mine afterwards."

"Would your ladyship just think over the project in its every possible light?—the dense jungle—the approaching night—and your lonely position?

But, without a word whatsoever, Luthfunnisha