being encircled by hundreds of wives, cry shame upon the name of Aesha and turn it into a bye-word—still, still shall I remain his for ever, panting for his love. What, think you, I was speaking to him here secretly? I was telling him, I would win the guards over by soft words or by reward. I would furnish him with a horse from our stables;—and importuned him to escape at once to his father's camp. The prisoner himself declined to go away, or by this time you would not have found the least trace of him."
She wiped away her tears, and paused a little, and then resumed in an altered voice.
"But Osman, I have pained you. Forgive me, I beseech you. We cherish each other with affection; and my conduct looks rank unkindness. But you suspected my innocence. Whatever her other faults, impurity has no share in Aesha. Whatever Aesha does, she can avow it before the world. Now I have declared it to you—if necessary to-morrow I will declare it to my father." Then turning to Jagat Singha, she said,
"Prince! do you also forgive me. Had not Osman touched me to the quick, the grief that knawed my vitals, would never have come to your ears;—nay, to any human ears."
The Prince stood speechless, his heart burning in anguish. Osman also was silent. Aesha resumed,
"Osman! I say again, if I have offended you, do you forgive me. I shall ever remain your affectionate sister. Do not, O do not, lessen your affection for me. As my bad luck would have it, I have plunged into this ocean; do not add to my woe by depriving me of your brotherly love."
Saying this, the fair damsel rushed out, without waiting for the return of her maid. Osman remained speechless for a while
