“How and when did they capture you?” he asked at length.
“They did not capture me: I am free.”
“Free?” And his glance rested on her Gularzai attire, and seemed to freeze.
“I am a thought reader, remember,” she said, with a wan smile, as she followed his glance. “No, it is not as you think. I put on this disguise for safety’s sake.” And then, in as few words as possible, for time was valuable, she told him of her plan, and how it had failed.
“But it has not failed,” he answered emphatically. “It has given me the sight of your dear self once more. Oh, darling, to think that you should have undertaken such a thing—and for me. There is no other woman under the sun who would have done it.”
“Not if she—”
“Say it, say it,” he urged, holding her more closely.
“Loved you. There. I will say it. I would say anything now. Listen, Herbert, can nothing be done? Can we not bribe some of them? I have money—plenty of it. Think quickly—time is so short. This one who speaks English so well, the Nawab’s son. Is he to be bought?”
“Oh, then he does speak English?”
“Yes. Shall I offer him what his father refused? Shall I? Shall I?”