"It is needless to say it," replied the Prince rather sadly. "You can read the letter, Sir, and then send it, if yon like."
Osman opened and read the letter. It contained simply the following lines:—
"Ill-fated woman! I will not forget your request. But if you really loved your husband, you must follow him, and thereby wipe out the stain that has attached itself to your name.
"Prince!" said Osman after reading the note, "you are very cruel."
"Certainly not more than the Pathan, Sir," replied the Prince drily.
Osman's countenance reddened; he said rather harshly,
"The Pathans may not have behaved with you so very shabily, after all, Sir."
The Prince was at once angry and ashamed.
"No, Sir" said he; "I speak not of myself. You have treated me very kindly, sure, and although you have taken me captive, you have given me my life; you have effected the recovery from serious illness of one who had been destroying your forces. He who should be loaded with chains, and confined in a dungeon, lives in a perfumed chamber, through your kindness. What more can you do, Sir? But what I say is this; you are laying me under embarassing obligations; I do not see the end which all this comfort points to. If I am a prisoner, send me to gaol, Sir; release from this net of kindness; but if I am not a prisoner, what's the use of keeping me in this golden cage, pray?"
