h. I did not
think the potion would have been so strong. Give me a netful of fresh
limes and some cooling lotion, that I may leave with her there."

In a few minutes a woman came up to say that the palanquin was in
readiness at the gate of the zenana garden. A large cushion was taken
off a divan, and Isobel was laid upon it and covered with a light
shawl. Six of the female attendants lifted it and carried it downstairs,
accompanied by Rabda and the mistress off the zenana, both closely
veiled. Outside the gate was a large palanquin, with its bearers and
four soldiers and an officer. The cushion was lifted and placed in the
palanquin, and Rabda also took her place there.

"Then you will not return today," the woman said to her, in a voice loud
enough to be heard by the officers "You will remain with her for a time,
and afterwards go to see your friends in the town. I will send for you
when I hear that you wish to return."

The curtains of the palanquin were drawn down; the bearers lifted it and
started at once for Cawnpore.

On arrival at the large building known as the Subada Ke Kothee the
gates were opened at once at the order of the Nana's officer, and the
palanquin was carried across the courtyard to the door of the building
which was used as a prison for the white women and children. It was
taken into the great arched room and set down. Rabda stepped out, and
the bearers lifted out the cushion upon which Isobel lay.

"You will not be wanted any more," Rabda said, in a tone of authority.
"You can return to Bithoor at once!"

As the door closed behind them several of the ladies came round to
see this fresh arrival. Rabda looked round till her eye fell upon Mrs.
Hunter, who was occupied in trying to hush a fractious child. She put
her hand on her arm and motioned to her to come along. Surprised at the
summons, Mrs. Hunter followed her. When they reached the cushion Rabda
lifted the shawl from Isobel's face. For a moment Mrs. Hunter failed to
recognize her, but as Isobel opened her eyes and held out her hand she
knew her, and with a cry of pity she dropped on her knees beside her.

"My poor child, what have these fiends been doing to you?"

"They have been doing nothing, Mrs. Hunter," she whispered. "I am not
so bad as I seem, though I have suffered a great deal of pain. I was
carried away to Bithoor, to Nana Sahib's zenana, and I have burnt my
face with caustic and acid; they think I have some terrible disease,