is terrible change. What shall we do
with her? If the disease is contagious, everyone in the palace may catch
it."

"Have a closed palanquin brought to the door, wrap her up, and have
her carried down to the Subada Ke Kothee. Let her give it to the women
there. Burn all the things in this room, and everything that has been
worn by those who have entered it. I will inquire into this matter later
on, and should I find that there has been any foul play, those concerned
in it shall wish they had never been born."

As soon as he had left the woman called Rabda in.

"All has gone well," she said; "your father's philter is powerful
indeed. Tell him whenever he needs any service I can render he has but
to ask it. Look at her; did you ever see one so disfigured? The Rajah
has seen her, and is filled with loathing. She is to be sent to the
Subada Ke Kothee. Are you sure that the malady is not contagious? I have
persuaded the Rajah that it is; that is why he is sending her away."

"I am sure it is not," Rabda said; "it is the result of the drugs. It is
terrible to see her; give me some cooling ointment."

"What does it matter about her now that she is harmless?" Poomba said
scornfully. Being, however, desirous of pleasing Rabda, she went away
and brought a pot of ointment, which the girl applied to the sores, the
tears falling down her cheeks as she did so.

The salve at once afforded relief from the burning pain, and Isobel
gratefully took a drink prepared from fresh limes.

She had only removed her gown when she had lain down, having done this
in order that it should not be burned by the acid, and that her neck
and shoulders might be seen, and the belief induced that this strange
eruption was all over her. Rabda made signs for her to put it on again,
and pointing in the direction of Cawnpore, repeated the word several
times, and Isobel felt with a thrill of intense thankfulness that the
stratagem had succeeded, and that she was to be sent away at once,
probably to the place where the other prisoners were confined. Presently
the woman returned.

"Rabda, you had best go with her. It were well that you should leave
for the present. The Rajah is suspicious; he may come back again and ask
questions; and as he knows you by sight, and as you told me your father
was in disfavor with him at present, he might suspect that you were in
some way concerned in the matter."

"I will go," Rabda said. "I am sorry she has suffered so muc