Khôjee, left forlorn, sat looking at her _râm rucki_ doubtfully. Could the tale be true? Could the _Huzoors_ have been capable of such a devilish treachery? Even so, he, _Rahmân-sahib_, had not been so. His bracelet had brought safety. Even after two days, Auntie Khôjee recognised this. The _daghdar-sahib_ had laughed at her fear of plague; they had given her seclusion of the strictest; a Musulman woman, who had called her 'my princess,' had brought her better food than she had had for years, and even Lateef had been allowed to come during the day and talk to her. Last, not least, the _daghdar_ himself had respected her veil, and sent a miss-_sahiba_ instead--a miss in a curious dress, who had let her cry about Noormahal, and comforted her with cardamoms--real cardamoms. It had almost been a visit of condolence! Then she was told that in eight days she might go back--though not to the wide dreary house, since it had already been utilised as a hospital. But _Rahmân-sahib_ had promised to settle that from the rent of this, Jehân should pay for a more suitable lodging, and also allow her a proper pension. A bracelet-brother indeed! Yet lying tongues traduced him and she, a bracelet-sister, could do nothing but listen to them! She wept softly over her own ingratitude, so that Lateefa, finding her thus engaged, attempted consolation on the old, old lines which belong to all faiths, all people, by saying that it was God's will, that Noormahal was taken from the evil to come, that she was at peace; until, finding his comfort unavailing, and being pressed for time, he told the old lady gently that she must not expect any more of his companionship that day, since, the term of his more rigorous segregation being over he was free to go out, provided he returned by sundown. Then to his surprise she suddenly ceased her curious whimpering wail, and looked up at him swiftly. 'Thou canst go out! Then thou shalt go to him and tell him of the lies! Yea! and tell him that I, Khôjeeya Khânum, wear his gift, and--and will never forget him, and his beauty, and his kindness!'