CHAPTER V.
In her own apartments.
On entering her apartments, Luthfunnisha called out to Peshman who helped in undressing her. She got out of her immensely rich gold-braided garment wrought with pearls, diamonds and rubies and said to Peshman "Take this dress."
Peshman wondered not a little. The dress was recently made to order at an enormous cost.
"Why this dress to me?" asked Peshman "What is to-day's report?"
"It is re-assuring news, indeed!"
"This is but too evident. Are you relieved of Meherunnisha incubus?
"Yes, now I have no more anxiety in that quarter."
Peshman made an exhibition of great delight and said "Then I count a maid to the Begum."
"If you want to be the Begum's maid then I shall speak to Meherunnisha about that."
"Why? You say that Meherunnisha is out of the running for the Badsha's Begumship."
"I never spoke that sort of stuff. What I said is I have no more anxiety on that head."
"Why no more anxiety?" snarled Peshman crossly "Everything is thrown overboard if you fail to be the Delhi mistress."
