law officer), aitached to the Sudder Court, in Agra. I am his only daughter. He was absent from home all day. Why should he not be? He was paid for it; he ate the company's salt. Well, when I was about fifteen years of age I was enticed away from my home by the Kotwall (native police officer) He sent an old woman, who had silver on her tongue, and gold in her hand. She told me long stories about love: and promised me, that if I left my home I should marry the Kotwall's son, who was young and handsome. I was but a child and very foolish. The servants who had charge of me were all bribed heavily. One received three hundred rupces, another two hundred, a third one hundred. These people encouraged me in the idea that to marry the Kotwall's son would be the most prudent thing in the world; and, one day when my father had gone to the Court, at about ten o'clock, I eloped with the old woman whom the Kotwall had sent to talk me over. "We travelled all day, in a bylee (native carriage), guarded by two sowars. I asked the old woman several times where she was taking me, but her only reply was, 'Set your heart at rest, child, and eat some sweetmeats.' The pawn which she gave me must have been drugged, for shortly after eating it I fell asleep. How long I slept I cannot say, but when I awoke I found myself in the house of a Sahib. The old woman was there also. I became alarmed, but my fears were quieted by the old woman's tongue. She told me I was close to Agra; but the truth was, I was one hundred koss (two hundred miles) distant. Nautch girls were sent for, and they danced before me. I had this hookah given to me, and these bangles. A boy, very handsomely dressed, waited upon me, and brought my food Parrots, minahs, and doves were purchased for me to play with. Whatever my childish fancy dictated the old woman instantly procured. Noor Jehan. I was then very handsome. "On the following day I heard the Sahib The "I was now afraid to show my fears, lest the Sahib should order me to be killed; and I therefore put on a cheerful countenance, while my heart was quivering in my breast. The Sahib spoke to me very kindly, and I began to dread him less. "I was so constantly amused I had no time or inclination to think of my home. My father was a bad tempered man, and I was only too glad to be out of hearing of the quarrels in which he constantly engaged with "In this way I spent a fortnight: and, at his servants and dependants. One evening the end of that time, I ventured to talk to the the old woman said to me, Baba (child order Sahib as though I were his equal. It afforded a Nautch this evening, and let me, in your me great amusement to watch the administraname, invite the Sahib to witness it.' I had tion of justice through the key-hole; and, never seen an Englishman-an European-young as I was, I imbibed a desire to have a except at a distance. The idea of being in a share of the arbitrary power which was daily room with one inspired me with terror. I had exercised, been taught to despise the Kafir, whom my father said he was compelled to serve. I ob-room, I began to talk to him about a case of jected; but the old woman's eloquence again prevailed, The night came; I was seated on my fureesh (carpet) just as I am now, and dressed in clothes of the gayest description. I was like a little queen, and felt as proud as was "One day, when the Sahib came into my which he had just disposed. He laughed, and listened to my views with great patience. I told him that the evidence upon which the prisoner had been convicted was false from beginning to end. He promised me that he would reverse the sentence of imprisonment; and, in the ecstacy of my joy at finding that I really had some power, I was intoxicated and unconscious of what I was doing. I suffered the Sahib's lips to touch mine. No sooner had I done so than I felt a degraded outcast, and I cried more bitterly than I have words to describe. The Sahib consoled me and said that his God and his Prophet should be mine; and that in this world and the next our destinies should be the same. my head, touching my forehead with both hands. The father of her child had died on his passage to England. 46 "From that day I was a wife unto him. I ruled his household, and I shared his pleasures and his sorrows. He was in debt; but, by reducing his expenses, I soon freed him; for his pay was fifteen hundred rupees a month.-came, and took away the boy; not by I suffered no one to rob him, and caused the old woman, who was a great thief and cheat, to be turned away. I loved him with all my soul. I would rather have begged with him than have shared the throne of Akbar Shah. When he was tired, I lulled him to sleep: when he was ill, I nursed him: when he was angry, I soon restored him to good-humour: and, when I saw him about to be deceived by his subordinates, I put him on his guard. That he loved me I never had any reason to doubt. He gave me his confidence, and I never abused his trust. "Who was the man?" I inquired; for I was in doubt, although I suspected. "Be patient, Sahib," she replied, and then resumed. "At the end of two years I became a mother." Here she gave vent to another flood of tears. "The Sahib was pleased. The child seemed to bind us more closely together. I loved the child; I believe it was because it bore such a strong likeness to its father. When the Sahib was away from me, on duty in the district, he seemed still by my side, when I looked at the boy; who was as white as you are." "Is the child dead?" I asked. "Be patient, Sahib. When you passed through Deobund, and stayed in the tent with your friend, my child was two years old. I was the mistress of that encampment at Deobund, and the wine you drank was given out with this hand." "How little do men know of each other?" I exclaimed, "even those who are the most intimate! I had not the least idea there was a lady in the camp, I assure you." How angry with you was I," said she, "for keeping the Sahib up so late. You talked together the whole night long. Therefore I had no remorse when I took your dog. Well, as you are aware, soon after that, the Sahib was seized with fever, from which he recovered; but he was so shattered by the attack that he was compelled to visit Europe, where you know"-she paused. A native woman will never, if she can avoid it, speak of the death of a person whom she has loved. I was aware of this, and bowed Before he left me," she continned, “he gave me all that he possessed-his house and furniture, his horses, carriage, plate; his shares in the bank, his watch, his dressing case, his rings-everything was given to me, and I own all to this hour. When I heard the sad news I was heartbroken. Had it not been for the child I would have starved myself to death; as it was I took to opium, and smoking bhung (hemp). While I was in this state, my Sahib's brother-the Captain Sahib violence. I gave it to him. What was the child to me, then? I did not care. But the old woman whom you heard me call my mother, who now attends me, gradually weaned me from the desperation in which I was indulging; and, by degrees, my senses returned to me. I then began to ask about my child, and a longing to see him came over me. At first they told me he was dead; but, when they found I was resolved to detroy myself by intemperance, they told me the truththat the child was living, and at school in these hills. I have come hither to be near my child. I see him almost every day, but it is at a distance. Sometimes he passes close to where I stand, and I long to spring upon him and to hug him to my breast whereon, in infancy, his head reposed. I pray that I could speak to him, give him a kiss, and bless him; but he is never alone. He is always playing with, or talking to, the other little boys at the same school. It seems hard that he should be so joyous, while his own mother is so wretched. Of what use to me is the property I have, when I cannot touch or be recognised by my own flesh and blood? You know the master of the school?" "Yes." "Could you not ask him to allow my child to visit you? And then I could see him once more and speak to him. You were a friend of his father, and the request would not seem strange." I felt myself placed in a very awkward pesition, and would make no promise; but I told the woman I would consider the matter, and let her know on the following day, provided she would stay at home, and not visit the rock upon the road any more. She strove hard to extract a pledge that I would yield to her request; but, difficult as it was to deny her anything-she was still so beautiful and so interesting-I would not commit myself, and held to what I had in the first instance stated. I paid a visit to the school at which my friend's child had been placed, by his uncle, a captain in the East India Company's service. I saw some thirty scholars, of all colors, on the play-ground; but I soon recognized the boy whom I was so curious to see. He was indeed very like his father, not only in the face and figure, but in manner, gait, and bearing. I called to the little fellow, and he came and took my hand with a frankness which charmed me.. The Schoolmaster told me that the boy was very clever, and that although only six years old, there were but few of his playmates whom he did not excel. "His father was an old friend of mine," I said. "Indeed our acquaintance began when we were not older than this child. Would you have any objection to allow the boy to spend a day with me?" "I promised his uncle," was the schoolmaster's reply, "that he should not go out, and that I would watch him closely; but, of course, he will be quite safe with you. Any day that you please to send for him, he shall be ready." "Does he know anything of his mother?" I inquired. child shall be with me. Come in the dress of a poor woman, and bring an infant with you. Let your excuse be that you have come to complain of the ill-treatment you have received from your husband, who is in my service. This will give me an opportunity of bidding you remain until justice be done, and meanwhile you will see the boy; and when I go out of the room, which will be only for a short time, you can talk with him. Do you know your part, Dooncea?" Yes, Sahib." "To-morrow at twelve .Salaam, Dooneea!" Salaam, Sahib." She went away with a cheerful countenance. There are no such actors in the world as the people of Hindostan. The boy came to me a little before twelve, and was reading to me, when Dooneea, with a child in her arms, and dressed in the shabbiest apparel, rushed into the room, and commenced an harangue. She said she had been beaten unmercifully by her husband, for no cause whatever; that he had broken one of her fingers, and had attempted to stab her; but she had saved her life by flight. All this she accompanied with gesticulations and tears, according to the custom of complainants in the East. I feigned to be very angry with her husband, and hastily left the room, as if to make inquiry and to send for him. "Nothing," said the schoolmaster. "He was very young when he came to me. I have no idea, who, or what, or where the mother is, for his uncle did not enter into the particulars of his parentage. The mother must have been very fair, if she were a native; the boy is so very slightly touched with the tar-brush." I went home, and sent for the mother. She came; and I entreated her to forego her request, for the child's sake. I represented to I ran round to an outer door, and peeped her that it might unsettle him and cause him in upon Dooneea and her boy. She was reto be discontented. I assured her that he was peatiug the same tale to the child, and the now as happy and as well taken care of as child was imploring her not to cry. It was a any mother could desire her offspring to be. strange scene. The tears she was now shedOn hearing this, the poor woman became ding were not mock tears. The boy asked frantic. She knelt at my feet, and supplicated her how her husband came to beat her? She me to listen to her entreaty-a sight of her began thus: "I was sitting near the fire talkchild, a few words with him, and a kiss from ing to my eldest boy, and had my arm round his lips. She said she did not wish him to his waist-there, just as I put my arm round know that she was his mother; that if I would your waist-and I said to the boy, "It is gethave him brought into my house, she would ting very late and you must go to sleep," and dress in the garb of a servant woman, or syce's I pulled him to my breast-like this-and gave (groom's) wife, and talk to the boy without him a kiss on his forehead, then on his eyes his being aware that she was the person who-there-just as gently as that, yes, just like had brought him into the world. that. Well, the boy began to cry "And you will not play me false?" said I, moved by her tears. "You will not, when you have once got hold of the boy, decline to relinquish that hold, and defy his friends -as mothers have done-to take him from you, except by an order of Court? Remember, Dooneea," (that was her name) "that I am running a great risk; and am, moreover, deceiving the schoolmaster, and behaving badly to the boy's uncle, by allowing myself to be swayed by your tears and my own feelings. Consider what disgrace you will bring upon me, if you fail to keep your word in this matter." She bound herself by an oath that she would do all I required, if I would only give her the longed for interview. "To-morrow, at twelve," said I, " you may come here. At that hour, in this room, the to "Why did he cry? Because you told him go bed?" "Yes," said Dooneea; but his father came in, and thought I was teazing the child. He abused me, and then he beat me." The woman gazed at her child; and, having a good excuse for weeping in her alleged wrongs, she did not scruple to avail herself of it. From behind the screen which concealed me from her sight, and that of the boy, I, too, shed tears of pity. I returned to the room, and said, "Dooneea, since you are afraid of your life, do not leave this house until I tell you to do so; but give your infant to the sweeper's wife to take care of. I do not like young children in my house." How thankful she was! She placed her head upon my feet, and cracked her knuckles over my knees. "But I cannot allow you to dine with me in this state," said I, in Hindoostanee. "You must be well washed, my boy. Dooneea, give the child a bath." With reluctant steps, the child followed his mother to my bathing-room. I peeped through the purdah; for I began to fear that I should have some trouble in parting the mother from her child, and half repented that I had ever brought them together. While Dooneca was brushing the child's hair, she said, "Toomara mama kahanhai ?—Where is your mother?" The boy answered, "I do not know." Charles Lamb says that the children of the poor are adults from infancy. The same may be said of the children of the rich in India. Dooneea's little boy discussed the conduct of the cruel husband, and sympathised with the ill-used wife, as though he had been called upon to adjudicate the affair in a Court of Justice. He even went so far as to say, "What a wicked man to beat such a dear-looking woman!" and he gave Dooneea the rupee which I had given to him on the day previous when I saw him at the school. With what delight did Dooneea tie up that piece of coin, from the child's hand, in he corner of her garment! It seemed far more precious to her than all the jewels which his dead father had presented to I had an engagement to ride with a lady on her in days gone by. It was a gift frem her the Mall. My horse was braught to the door; own child, who was living but, to her, dead. but I was afraid to leave Dooneea alone with Dooneea spoke Persian-a language the boy the boy, notwithstanding her solemn promise did not understand. His father had taught that she should not run off with him. Yet I Dooneea that language in order that their ser- did not like to hurry that eternal separation vant might not know the tenor of their dis-on earth which, for the boy's sake, I was decourse. In that language Dooneea now spoke | termined their separation should be. to me, in the boy's presence. "Is he not very like his father?" she said. "Very," I replied. "Will he be as clever ?" "He is too young for any one to judge of that." I began to cough, to inform Dooneea that I was within hearing, and that I objected to that strain of examination. She ceased immediately. I walked up and down my verandah for some time, meditating how I could part them. At last it occurred to me that I would send the boy away to his school by stratagem, and trust to chance how I might best explain to Dooneea that he would not return. I ordered a "But he will be as generous," (she pointed syce (groom) to saddle a little pony, that I posto the coin) "and he will be as tall, as good-sessed, and told Dooneea that I wished the looking, as passionate, as gentle, and as kind." The boy's boots were muddy. Dooncea observed this, and with her own little hands cleaned them; and smiling, she asked him for a present, in that tone and manner which the poorest menial in Hindostan adopts when ad-attention as to be seen in public with him. dressing the most haughty superior. The boy blushed, and looked at me. "Have you nothing to give her?” said I. "Nothing," said he; "I gave her my rupee." "Give her that pretty blue ribbon which is round your neck and I will give you one like it," said I. He took the ribbon from his neck and gave it to Dooneea. Dooneea twisted the ribbon in her hair, and began to weep afresh. boy to take a ride with me, and that while we were absent, she ought to take some food. It stung me to the soul to witness how innocent she was of my intentions; for she seemed pleased that I should show her child so much As soon as we were out of sight of my house, I took the road for Landour, delivered the boy over to his schoolmaster, told my groom to keep the pony out till after dark, cantered to the Mall, kept my engagement, and returned to my home at about half-past seven o'clock. There was Dooneea waiting for us in the verandah. "Where is the boy?" she inquired, on finding me return alone. I gave her no reply; but dismounted and approached her. Taking hold of her wrists, I said, in the gentlest voice, "Dooneea, I have fulfilled my promise. You have seen your child, you have spoken to him, you have kissed him. Enough. He has now gone back to school. You must not see him again, if you really love him." She trembled in my grasp, looked piteously in my face, gasped several times for breath, as though she longed to speak, and swooned at my feet. I lifted her, carried her into the house, and laid her upon my bed; then sent for her servants, and for a doctor, who lived near my bungalow. The doctor came. While he felt her pulse, and placed his hand over |