to him, on a swift horse, to say, 'Be not dismayed, it is only thy servant Seventee Rajah, returning from the errand on which thou didst send him.' Then the Rajah's heart was light, and he ordered a royal salute to be fired, and went out with all his court to meet Seventee Bai, and they all went together in a state procession into the city. And Seventee Bai said to the Rajah, 'You sent your servant to the Rakshas' country to fetch a golden saree for the Ranee. Behold, I have done as you wish.' And so saying she gave to the Rajah five Rakshas' bundles of rich hangings and garments covered with jewels (that is to say, five housefuls of costly things; for each Rakshas carried as much in the bundle on his shoulders as a house would hold); and to the Wuzeer she gave two bundles.
After this, Seventee Bai discharged almost all her immense train of attendants (lest they should create a famine in the land), sending them to their own houses with many valuable presents; and she took the three Princesses, her wives, to live with her and Parbuttee Bai; but Hera Bai and Tara Bai, on account of their high rank and their surpassing beauty, had a splendid palace of their own in the jungle, of which no one knew but Seventee Bai.
Now when she again saw Seventee Bai, the Rajah's little daughter said to her father, 'Father, I do not think there is such a brave and beautiful Prince in all the world as this Seventee Rajah. I would rather have him for my husband than any one else.' And the Rajah said, 'Daughter, I am very willing you should marry him.' So it was settled Seventee Bai should marry the little Princess; but she said to the Rajah, 'I am willing to marry your daughter, but we must have a very grand wedding; give me time, therefore, to send into all the countries round, and invite all their Rajahs to be present at the ceremony.' And to this the Rajah agreed.
Now, about this time, Seventee Bai one day found Parbuttee Bai crying, and said to her, 'Little sister, why are you unhappy?' Parbuttee Bai answered, 'O sister, you have brought us out of all our difficulties, and won us honour and great riches, but yet I do not feel merry; for I cannot help thinking of our poor husband, who is now, may be, wandering about, a wretched beggar, and I long with my whole heart to see him again.' Then Seventee Bai said, 'Well, cheer up, do not cry; mind those women do not find out I am not Seventee Rajah. Keep a good heart, and I will try and find your husband for you.' So Seventee Bai went into the
