Then Kim saw that she was blind.

'No, no,' she muttered, 'the Pathan speaks truth--my colour does not go in a week or a month, and those whom I protect are under strong guard.' 'When one is far off and alone, it would not be well to grow blotched and leprous of a sudden,' said Mahbub.

'When thou wast with me I could oversee the matter.

Besides, a Pathan is a fair-skin.

Strip to the waist now and look how thou art whitened.' Huneefa felt her way back from an inner room.