Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

412 MEMOIR OF

a stubborn subject, over whom I have no con-
trol ; I never like to buy these slaves of high
birth, they always give me trouble. I paid three
hundred dinars to the Bedouin for her, now if
she will agree to have you for her master,
(which I very much doubt, she has so many
scruples to overcome), you shall add fifty to
that sum, and I will be satisfied.'

" They entered the hall a second time toge-
ther, when the merchant addressed Fatima*
' This gentleman desires to purchase you; he
is a Syaad of India, not rich, he says, but of a
high family, as well as a descendant of the
Emaums.' — 'As you will,' was all the an-
swer Fatima could make. The money was
accordingly paid down, and the poor girl led
away from her prison-house, by the first kind
soul she had met since she quitted her bene-
factress ill the Bedouins' retreat.

" Fatima's situation had excited a lively in-
terest in the heart of Meer Hadjee Shah, even
before he knew the history of those sufferings
that had brought her into bondage, for he was
benevolent, and thought she seemed unhappy;