"You now relate in detail, how you went to Calcutta from Monghyr."
Kulsam related the whole story, as clearly as she could. She gave out all that she knew about Dalani Begum. She then folded up her hands, and with tears in her eyes, addressed herself to the Nawab as follows:—
"My lord! I have a complaint to lodge, at this your royal court, against that cruel murderer, Mahammad Taki—pray listen to me. That faithless and treacherous man has duped my royal master by making certain false and libellous allegations against his queenly wife. The wretched sinner has, without the least hesitation or pain, destroyed the life of Dalani Begum, that jewel of a woman, as if, that precious thing was as insignificant a trifle as a poor ant. My lord! justice, therefore, demands that this great sinner should be crushed like an ant."
"It is a lie," faltered out Mahammad Taki. "Who are your witnesses?"
Kulsam's eyes were dilated with emotional grief and she roared out,
"Who will bear testimony to what I say? Look up—God is my witness! Place your hand on your
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