Then terror seized on all those women, and they stood exactly where they were, looking at each other with pale faces, not daring to advance. But at last, after a long while, supporting each the other, they pushed forward and looked out. And they saw the King's body, lying on that of his daughter; and a little further off, Aja, lying upon his face.
Then they went out, and took up those three bodies, and carried them in, and examined them. And after a while, they said: Doubtless the heart of the old King broke, when he saw his daughter lying dead. But as for the other two, one snake has evidently bitten both. And yet, this is a wonderful thing. For she has been bitten on the foot, but her lover upon the lips. What then? Was he trying to kiss the snake, that it should bite him upon the lips? For how could even the biggest snake reach up so high, as this great Rajpoot's mouth?
********
A Selection from the
Catalogue of
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
Complete Catalogue sent
on application
Books by F. W. Bain
Translated from Original Manuscripts
A Digit of the Moon
And Other Love Stories from the Hindu
Crown 8vo. Illustrated. Net, $1.50
A Draught of the Blue
together with
An Essence of the Dusk