It will be
better for you to go on, for some distance, and then turn aside from
the road. When they have all passed, come back into the road again,
and I will join you."
After waiting two hours, Hossein saw two carts full of women
approaching, and had no doubt that these were the servants of the
zenana. As he had expected, the drivers halted their cattle in the
shade of the trees; and the women, delighted to enjoy their liberty,
alighted from the carts and scattered in the grove. Presently one of
them, a middle-aged woman, approached the spot where Hossein had
seated himself.
Hossein drew out a large and beautiful silver bracelet, of Delhi
workmanship.
"Would you like to buy this?" he asked.
"How should I buy it?" she said. "I am only a servant.
"It is very beautiful;" and she looked at it, with longing eyes.
"I have two of them," he said, "and they will both be yours, if you
will do me a service."
"What is it?" she asked.
"They will be yours, if you will give this quill to the little white
girl, who is in the zenana."
The woman hesitated.
"It is dangerous," she said.
"Not at all," Hossein replied. "It only gives her news of a friend,
whom she thought was dead.
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