“’The Princess Yasmini Omanoff Singh,
        “’Your Highness,
                “’Word has reached me frequently of late of pressure brought
        to bear on you from certain quarters, and hints have been dropped
        in my hearing that the object of the pressure is to induce you to
        disclose a secret you possess.  Let me assure you that my official
        protection from all illegal restraint and improper treatment is at your
        service.  Further, that in case your secret is such as concerns vitally
        the political relations, present or future, of Sialpore the proper
        person to whom to confide it is myself.  Should you see your way to
        take that only safe course, you may rest assured that your own
        interests will be cared for in every way possible. 
                “’I have the honor to be,
                “‘Your Highness’ obedient servant,
                “‘Roland Samson, K. C. S. I.’”

“That looks fair enough,” said Tess.  “I dislike Samson for reasons of my own, but—­”

“Hah!” laughed Yasmini.  “He makes love to you!  Is it not so?  He would make love to me if I gave him opportunity!  What a jest for the gods if I should play that game with him and make him marry me!  I could!  I could make of Samson a power in India!  But the man would weary me with his conceit and his ‘orders from higher up’ within a week.  I can have power without his help!  What a royal jest, though, to marry Samson and intrigue with all the jealous English wives who think they pull the strings of government!”

“You’d get the worst of it,” laughed Tess.

“Maybe.  I shall never try it.  I am more of the East than the West.  But I will answer Samson.  Bimbu shall remain here lest he talk too much, but the dog shall take a letter to Tom Tripe at dawn.  Samson knew hours ago that I have flown the nest.  He will wonder how Tom Tripe holds communication with me, and so swiftly, and will have greater respect for him—­which may serve us later.”

“Let me add a letter to my husband then, to tell him I’m safe.”

“Surely.  But now eat.  Eat and be strong.  Can you stand?  Can you walk?  Have the maids put new life in you?”

Tess was astonished at her swift recovery.  She was a little stiff—­a little weak—­a little tired; but she could walk up and down the room with her natural gait and Yasmini clapped her hands.

“I will order food brought.  Listen!  Tonight I am Abhisharika.  Do you know what that is—­Abhisharika?”

Tess shook her head.

“I go to my lover of my own accord!”

“That sounds more like West than East!”

“You think so?  You shall come with me and see!  You shall play the part of cheti (the indispensable hand-maiden)—­you and Hasamurti.  You must dress like her.  Simply be still and watch, and you shall see!”