"Hear my history, and you will know then how I am to be pitied," said the fair girl; "and it is told in a few words. I was the daughter of humble parents, but I was, as you see me--they say I am beautiful; they married me to my husband,--so they said,--but they sold me. Sahib, he is old, he is a tyrant, he has beaten me with his shoe, and I have sworn on his Koran that I will no longer remain under his roof. Yes, I have sworn it: I would have fled yesterday, but I saw you, and I prayed Alla to send you, and he has done so. Now think of me what you please, but save me!" And she arose, and throwing herself at my feet clasped my knees. "You will not refuse me protection? if you do, and your heart is hard towards me, one thing alone remains--I have prepared a bitter draught, and to-morrow's sun will look upon my dead body." "Alla forbid! lady," said I. "He who has sent me to you has sent you a willing and a fearless slave: fly with me this instant, and I will lead you to a father who will welcome you, and a land far away where our flight will never be discovered." "Now--so soon?" she exclaimed. "Ay, lady, now; leave your house this moment; I will protect you with my life." "I dare not, Sahib, I dare not; ah, what would become of us if we were discovered? you would escape, but I--you know a woman's fate if she is detected in intrigue." "Then what can be done?" said I. "Alas! I am a stranger in the city, and know not what to advise." "I will call my nurse; let us leave all to her.--Kulloo!" The old woman entered. "What are your commands?" said she. "Listen," said I; "I love your fair charge with an intensity of passion; this is no place for us to give ourselves up to love, for there is danger, and we must fly: I am a stranger in the city, and am on the eve of departure for my home, which is in Hindostan, and whither I will convey her safely; she is willing to accompany me, and your aid and advice are all that is required." "To fly! to leave home and every one for Hindostan, and with one unknown! Azimabee, this is madness; how know you who he is, and where he will take you? I will not assist you. I was willing that you should have a lover, and helped you to get one; but this is mere madness--we shall be ruined." "Mother," said I, "I am no deceiver; I swear by your head and eyes I can be faithful; do but help two poor creatures whose affections are fixed upon each other, and we will invoke the blessings of the prophet on your head to the latest day of our lives. I leave here to-morrow; my father is a merchant and accompanies me; he has ample wealth for us both, and I am his only child: we shall soon be beyond any chance of pursuit, and in our happiness will for ever bless you as the author of it. Ah, nurse, cannot you contrive something? is there no spot on the road past Golconda which you could fix on for our meeting? I can reward you richly, and now promise you one hundred rupees, if you will do my bidding."