"She is," he replied; "you have nothing to fear; and she is all impatience to behold you again." Sahib, I did not lose an instant in again beholding my beloved and pressing her once more to my heart. She was more lovely than ever; and after some fond chidings for my delay, and a relation of all the anxiety she had suffered in my absence, and the fatigues of her journey, we gave ourselves up to that voluptuous feeling of joy and security, which those only know who have loved and been separated from each other under circumstances of doubt or danger. After passing some time with her I rejoined Bhudrinath. "Who was the man you were conversing with when I came up?" I asked. "Why," said he, "from what I have picked up as yet, I suspect he has urgent reasons for getting away from hence as fast as he can; in other words he has been helping himself to more than he ought in some revenue affair, and his safety depends upon flight. I told him I expected you and your party, and that he would have a good opportunity of getting away if he chose to mix with us. You see," added Bhudrinath, "that when once I have fixed my eye upon any one, it is against my principles to let him escape me; now, as this is the case, we must have that man,--first, because of my principles, as I said, and secondly, because of the money which most assuredly he has in his possession: do you comprehend?" "Perfectly," said I laughing; "your argument is an admirable one; therefore I will second your endeavours with all my heart. How shall we proceed?" "Why," said Bhudrinath, "that is a somewhat difficult matter to determine, for I do not know where the fellow lives; but he promised to be with me soon, and I dare say he will not be long away." "We must spread the carpet of patience," said I, "and sit on it, I suppose, till he makes his appearance; meanwhile I see no reason why I should not eat." Well, Sahib I went inside the purda, where my well-dressed meal awaited me, and Zora and I had our fingers very soon buried in a smoking dish of kicheree and a very good currie. While I was thus employed, I heard the usual salutation pass between Bhudrinath and his acquaintance, and when I had satisfied the cravings within me, which had been grievous to bear, I joined them. "This is my brother, of whom I have spoken to you," said Bhudrinath, presenting me to him; "he has now, as you see, overtaken me, and we shall journey on together. All his men are encamped outside the town, but as he is more comfortable with me, you see him here." We exchanged salutations, and, by way of drawing him to the subject, I asked Bhudrinath when we should start. "I cannot delay," said I; "that detention at Nursee was most inconvenient, and but for that we should have been far on the road by this time." The man stared at me, and at last said to Bhudrinath, "Surely you must be joking when you say this gentleman is your brother; why, you are much older, and your features do not resemble in the least."