DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22902#0063
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" Certainly !—-how can the marriage be otherwise accom-
plished ?"
" Accomplished ? why, by not mentioning the circumstance
to any one at all. I assure you that is the best way of doing
" You mean then that I should fly from my father's roof ;
but even that is not so easy neither ; you know with what
strictness I am watched at home."
" That would not in the least interfere with our plan, you
know; wherever there is a will there is also a way. You
remember, don't you, the story that these unclean
Mahometans relate of the Gin who confined the lady
within a box, securely locked, and yet with all that precaution
could not thwart her purposes ; so, if you but consent to what
I say, there are a thousand ways of putting our plan into
execution ; for, lo !" said she, taking Neeroopoma by the
hand and smiling exultingly, " here we come to the royal
garden of Moharaj Oodoy Sing, and, notwithstanding the
extreme wariness of your old father, you can now show him a
clean pair of heels by just stepping into this gate." Saying
this, she quickly walked up to what seemed a back-door of the
garden. She tapped thrice on the door, and as if by pre-
concerted measures, it was immediately thrown open by an
old looking negro slave dressed in brown, with a red shawl
wrapped round his head in the shape of a turban. He made
a profound bow to Neeroopoma, and said that they were most
welcome, and offered to conduct them to the garden house.
Neeroopoma knew not what to do. Surprise and a sort of
fear took possession of her heart. She could not stir. But
the cunning Jovunnia gently took her by the hand, and led her
into the garden, attended by the negro slave. The ebon vault
of Heaven was studded with ten thousand stars, while beneath
" Certainly !—-how can the marriage be otherwise accom-
plished ?"
" Accomplished ? why, by not mentioning the circumstance
to any one at all. I assure you that is the best way of doing
" You mean then that I should fly from my father's roof ;
but even that is not so easy neither ; you know with what
strictness I am watched at home."
" That would not in the least interfere with our plan, you
know; wherever there is a will there is also a way. You
remember, don't you, the story that these unclean
Mahometans relate of the Gin who confined the lady
within a box, securely locked, and yet with all that precaution
could not thwart her purposes ; so, if you but consent to what
I say, there are a thousand ways of putting our plan into
execution ; for, lo !" said she, taking Neeroopoma by the
hand and smiling exultingly, " here we come to the royal
garden of Moharaj Oodoy Sing, and, notwithstanding the
extreme wariness of your old father, you can now show him a
clean pair of heels by just stepping into this gate." Saying
this, she quickly walked up to what seemed a back-door of the
garden. She tapped thrice on the door, and as if by pre-
concerted measures, it was immediately thrown open by an
old looking negro slave dressed in brown, with a red shawl
wrapped round his head in the shape of a turban. He made
a profound bow to Neeroopoma, and said that they were most
welcome, and offered to conduct them to the garden house.
Neeroopoma knew not what to do. Surprise and a sort of
fear took possession of her heart. She could not stir. But
the cunning Jovunnia gently took her by the hand, and led her
into the garden, attended by the negro slave. The ebon vault
of Heaven was studded with ten thousand stars, while beneath