THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
friend glistened in her eyes. She came to her husband to ask his advice.
"Go and see her, my dear wife, for she is a great Begum, and her husband is one of the proudest and bravest of the Moslem Jaigirdars of Bengal. Go and see her, and press her for some news of Noren, if she has any to tell. Gokul Das takes joy in giving us the most alarming news about our absent friend; I would fain learn something that is reassuring. Would it not gladden thy heart, Hemlata, to learn that our dear Noren is safe and well?"
"It would," Hemlata softly answered.
"Then go and bring news of him. I shall myself seek the bold Sher Afghan and ask him if he has any news from Agra."
A day was fixed for the interview, and Hemlata went. Her litter was taken into the inner apartments which are occupied by women, and the beautiful Mihr-un-Nissa, bedecked in jewels and pearls, came out to receive with honour the great lady of Debipur.
The evening lamps were lighted, the room was decorated with mirrors and pictures and graceful curtains, and the genial and beautiful hostess, one of the loveliest of her race and sex, offered a seat covered with cloth of gold to her guest as she occupied another. Her dark eyes gleamed and her red lips were wreathed in smiles. And yet as Hemlata gazed on this woman of surpassing sweetness and beauty, she read in that fine marble brow a depth of thought and a soul of command which almost filled her with awe.
"Much honoured am I, sweet sister, that thou hast condescended to pay me this visit. I had heard a great deal of the House of Debipur and of the great-
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