Isobel threw her
arms round the girl's neck, drew her close to her, and kissed her
warmly.--Rabda then drew a piece of paper and a pencil from her
dress and handed them to her. She wrote:
"Thanks a thousand times, dear friend; I will follow your instructions.
Please send me if you can some quick and deadly poison, that I may
take in the last extremity. Do not fear that I will flinch from
applying the things you have sent me. I would not hesitate to
swallow them were there no other hope of escape. I rejoice so much
to know that you have escaped from that terrible attack last night.
Did Wilson alone get away? Do you know they murdered my uncle
and all the others in the boat, except Mrs. Hunter and Mary? Pray
do not run any risks to try and rescue me. I think that I am safe
now, and will make myself so hideous that if the wretch once sees
me he will never want to see me again. As to death, I have no fear
of it. If we do not meet again, God bless you.
"Yours most gratefully,
"Isobel."
Rabda concealed the note in her garment, and then motioned to Isobel
that she should close her eyes and pretend to be asleep. Then she
gently drew back the curtains and seated herself at a distance from
the couch.
Half an hour later the mistress of the zenana came in. Rabda rose
and put her finger to her lips and left the room, accompanied by
the woman.
"She is asleep," she said; "do not be afraid, the potion will do
its work. Leave her alone all night.
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