"Let me hear, in
two brief words, that you leave this woman to my disposal."
"But not to be interred alive under your seat, like the Circassian of
whom you were jealous," said Middlemas, shuddering.
"No, fool; her lot shall not be worse than that of being the favourite
of a prince. Hast thou, fugitive and criminal as thou art, a better fate
to offer her?"
"But," replied Middlemas, blushing even through his base disguise at the
consciousness of his abject conduct, "I will have no force on her
inclinations."
"Such truce she shall have as the laws of the Zenana allow," replied the
female tyrant. "A week is long enough for her to determine whether she
will be the willing mistress of a princely and generous lover."
"Ay," said Richard, "and before that week expires"----He stopped short.
"What will happen before the week expires?" said the Begum Montreville.
"No matter--nothing of consequence. I leave the woman's fate with you."
"'Tis well--we march to-night on our return, so soon as the moon rises
Give orders to our retinue."
"To hear is to obey," replied the seeming slave, and left the apartment.
The eyes of the Begum remained fixed on the door through which he had
passed. "Villain--double-dyed villain!" she said, "I see thy drift; thou
wouldst betray Tippoo, in policy alike and in love. But me thou canst
betray.--Ho, there, who waits? Let a trusty messenger be ready to set
off instantly with letters, which I will presently make ready.
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