Then came the maids again, afraid for their very lives of the dog, but still more mindful of Yasmini's orders. They resumed their kneading of stiff muscles, rubbing in oil that smelt of jasmine, singing incantations while they worked. They lifted the bed away from the wall, and one of the women danced around and around it rhythmically, surrounding Tess with what the West translates as "influence"—the spell that all the East knows keeps away evil interference.
Last of all by candlelight, Yasmini came, scented and fresh and smiling as the flower from which she has her name, dressed now in the soft-hued silken garments of a lady of the land.
"Where did you get them?" Tess asked her.
"These clothes? Oh, I have friends here. Have no fear now—there are friends on every side of us."
She showed Tess a letter, pierced in four places by a dog's eye-teeth.
"This is from Samson sahib. Do you remember how I prayed that Jinendra's priest might think to play me false? I think he has. Some one has been to Samson sahib. Hear this:
"'The Princess Yasmini Omanoff Singh,
"'Your Highness,
"'Word has reached me frequently of late of pressure brought
to bear on you from certain quarters, and hints have been dropped
in my hearing that the object of the pressure is to induce you to
disclose a secret you possess. Let me assure you that my official
protection from all illegal restraint and improper treatment is at your
service. Further, that in case your secret is such as concerns vitally
the political relations, present or future, of Sialpore the proper
person to whom to confide it is myself. Should you see your way to
take that only safe course, you may rest assured that your own
interests will be cared for in every way possible.
"'I have the honor to be,
"'Your Highness' obedient servant,
"'Roland Samson, K. C. S. I.'"
"That looks fair enough," said Tess. "I dislike Samson for reasons of my own, but—"
"Hah!" laughed Yasmini. "He makes love to you! Is it not so? He would make love to me if I gave him opportunity! What a jest for the gods if I should play that game with him and make him marry me! I could! I could make of Samson a power in India! But the man would weary me with his conceit and his 'orders from higher up' within a week. I can have power without his help! What a royal jest, though, to marry Samson and intrigue with all the jealous English wives who think they pull the strings of government!"
"You'd get the worst of it," laughed Tess.