Page:Chandra Shekhar.djvu/162

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She Laughs


Particularly, if a young woman happens to be the possessor of a beautiful face, its influence becomes irresistible. Amyatt had seen that the woman was a matchless beauty—he was also somewhat moved to find that she was mad. He, therefore, sent orders through the head of the sentinels, to take off Pratap's handcuff, and allow Shaibalini to go within the boat.

Pirbuksh brought a light, and the sentry took off Pratap's handcuff. Pratap took the light, from the servant, and asked him not to come upon the boat. He then went inside with the light, and pretended, as if, he was getting rice for the woman—his object was to escape. Shaibalini too came within the boat. The sentinels were keeping watch outside—they could not see what was going on within the boat. Shaibalini drew up her veil, and took her seat before Pratap.

When Pratap got over his surprise, he noticed that Shaibalini was biting her lips—her face was rather bright with joy, and bore signs of unswerving determination. Pratap felt that Shaibalini was in every way fit to be the heroine of a hero like himself.

"Take off your hand from the pot and wash

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