“To try and save you.”
“God be thanked.”
“The difficulties are so great, though, that I am afraid to hold out much hope. I have been in the city for some days, and have made various attempts to get into the Palace, but failed. By mingling with the soldiers in the courtyards, however, I learnt that you were in the habit of walking here. I determined at all hazards to try and reach you. I succeeded last night in escaping the vigilance of the sentries and getting into the grounds. Here I have remained since, until my old bones are sore, and I faint for the want of food.”
“You are a faithful, noble, generous creature,” was Flora’s answer. “The only reward I can give you now is my grateful thanks. But tell me, Zeemit, what are your plans?”
“Alas, I have none. I am like a fly that has got into a spider’s web. I don’t see how I am to get out. I was determined to come if that were possible, and here I am. But the way I came, you could never go back. I had to mount stone walls, and scramble over high hedges.”
“Oh, I would do all that,” said Flora anxiously. “Only lead the way, and I will follow.”
“That will never do, baba. You would be missed, and before we could get outside of the Palace grounds, re-captured, and then death would be certain.”
“Alas, what shall become of us, then?” moaned poor Flora. “I have suffered so terribly that I feel I cannot endure it much longer.”
She then recounted to Zeemit all that had passed since they parted, and concluded with informing her of Moghul Singh’s proposal.
“Ah! that is good,” answered Zeemit, as she heard this.