THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
"I like to see thee thus, Jelekha," said Noren. "Be composed and listen. I wish not to pry into thy secrets to-night, but methinks a common danger unites us. Confide in me if thou wishest, or keep thy secret if thou likest, but if a friendless soldier can ever be of any help to thee, demand it of him and he will keep his faith."
Was it a reaction from the excitement which Jelekha had recently passed through, or was it something in Noren's words which affected this wild Tartar? She listened, subdued and submissive, as she had never listened to man before, and simply said, "Speak on."
"Little more have I to speak, Jelekha, for little do I know of what has taken place. But I have known thee in thy kindness, and I have seen thy daring; thou art a true woman and a brave woman in spite of thy wild nature and thy life as a palace slave. Trust a true man and he will not be false to thee."
For the first time Noren saw Jelekha softened even into weakness, and two silent tears rolled down the ivory cheeks of that strange creature of supple steel. Noren would have been more or less than a man if he had not drawn that suffering woman closer to him—if he had not placed his lips on her marble brow and dishevelled tresses.
Jelekha shivered at that touch and murmured to herself, as in a dream, "Men have charms too, as women have. A warrior can work a spell as well as a Tartar girl."
"Thy spell, Jelekha," replied Noren, softly, "is the strongest that woman can work on man, it is a woman's kind and loving tendance. My spell is to
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