differently about it."

"I must go now," Rabda said. "Has the lady any message to send to the
sahib?" and she again handed a paper and pencil to Isobel.

The girl took them, hesitating a little before writing:

"Thank God you have saved me. Some day, perhaps, I may be able to tell
you how grateful I am; but, if not, you will know that if the worst
happens to us, I shall die blessing you for what you have done for me.
Pray do not linger longer in Cawnpore. You may be discovered, and if I
am spared, it would embitter my life always to know that it had cost you
yours. God bless you always.

"Yours gratefully,

"Isobel."

She folded up the paper and gave it to Rabda, who took her hand and
kissed it; and then, drawing her veil again over her face, went to the
door, which stood open for the moment.

Some men were bringing in a large cauldron of rice. The sentries offered
no opposition to her passing out, as the officer with the palanquin
had told them that a lady of the Rajah's zenana would leave shortly.
A similar message had been given to the officer at the main gate, who,
however, requested to see her hand and arm to satisfy him that all was
right. This was sufficient to assure him that it was not a white woman
passing out in disguise, and Rabda at once proceeded to her father's
house.

As she expected, he and Bathurst were away, for she had arranged to meet
them at eight o'clock in the garden. They did not return until eleven,
having waited two hours for her, and returning home in much anxiety at
her non-appearance.

"What has happened? Why did you not meet us, Rabda?" her father
exclaimed, as he entered.

Rabda rapidly repeated the incidents that had happened since she had
parted from him the evening before, and handed to Bathurst the two notes
she had received from Isobel.

"Then she is in safety with the others!" he exclaimed in delight. "Thank
God for that, and thank you, Rabda, indeed, for what you have done."

"My life is my lord's," the girl said quietly. "What I have done is
nothing."

"If we had but known, Rujub, that she would be moved at once, we might
have rescued her on the way."

Rujub shook his head.

"There are far too many people along the road, sahib; it could not have
been done. But, of course, there was no knowing that she would be sent
off directly after the Nana had seen her."

"Is she much disfigured, Rabda?" Bathurst asked.

"Dreadfully;" the girl said sorrowfully. "The acid