“Oh, I would do all that,” said Flora anxiously. “Only lead the way, and I will follow.” “That will never do, baba. You would be missed, and before we could get outside of the Palace grounds, re-captured, and then death would be certain.” “Alas, what shall become of us, then?” moaned poor Flora. “I have suffered so terribly that I feel I cannot endure it much longer.” She then recounted to Zeemit all that had passed since they parted, and concluded with informing her of Moghul Singh’s proposal. “Ah! that is good,” answered Zeemit, as she heard this. “How is it good?” asked the astonished Flora. “Because it presents a way of escape. Once clear of the Palace, and there is hope. There is none while you remain here. At any moment the King, exasperated by the desperate fighting of the English outside, might take it into his head to order you instant death. You must go with Moghul Singh.” “Go with Moghul Singh!” “Yes.” “You do not make yourself very clear, Zeemit. Where is the advantage to be gained by running from one danger into another?” “You go from a greater to a lesser danger.” “But you would not counsel me to sell myself to this man?” “By the ‘Sacred River,’ no.” “What is your scheme, then?” Zeemit pondered for a little while before she answered. “I know Moghul Singh’s house. He keeps three or four of his mistresses there. Escape from the place would be comparatively easy.” “Yes, yes; go on,” said Flora excitedly, as Zeemit paused again. “If he conveyed you there these women would favour your escape, because they would be very jealous of you. And if they let you go, they would think that, as a Feringhee woman, you would soon be slaughtered in the city. I could take you from there, and conceal you somewhere until a chance presented itself to get outside.” “Your plan seems a good one, Zeemit; and a new hope springs up. But tell me, before you left Cawnpore, did you see Mr. Gordon?” “Yes.” “And what became of him?” “I advised him to go into the defences, and promised to communicate with him in the event of being able to set you free. But communication is impracticable now. We must wait.” “And do you think he still lives, Zeemit?” “At a time like this it is hard to answer such a question. A thousand dangers beset us all.” “But he was alive and well when you left him?” Flora asked with a sigh. “Yes, and hopeful.” “Now tell me, Zeemit, what do you propose that I should do?” “Tell Moghul Singh that you have reconsidered your decision, and that you will go with him.” “Yes, yes, and what then?” “I will be near Singh’s house. I do not anticipate any difficulty in your being able to escape from there, and we can fly together.” “I will do it,” was Flora’s answer. “And I give you this caution: you must do everything you possibly can to lead Moghul to believe that you are sincere, or he might suspect something.” “It shall be as you suggest, Zeemit, however repulsive the task may be.”