'"Take Nourmahal with you!" said she imploringly; "she would die if left behind."
'"And die she shall!" said the low, concentrated and terrible voice of Zemaun Khan, with a grim and terrible expression of face, suddenly appearing in the curtained doorway.
'A low wail escaped Nourmahal, who sank at his feet.
'"I have heard all!" said he sternly.
'"All?" I repeated mechanically, and thinking the word might be my last.
'"Yes, all, Sahib, and blame not you."
'"Whom, then?" I asked.
'"Her!" he replied laconically.
'"She has done no wrong!" I urged; "I call Heaven to witness!"
'"Silence, Sahib! No actual wrong, but she is morally guilty," he exclaimed, in a hoarse, fierce, broken voice, as he spurned her with his heavy Afghan boot; and then, as she crept grovelling towards him imploring pity, but silently, like a dumb animal, he added, "and thus do I, her husband, punish her!"