Icy winter is followed by merry spring-time--grief is often succeeded by joy." "Interpret, O riddler!" said I; "Gahagan Khan is no reader of puzzles--no prating mollah.

Gujputi loves not words, but swords." "Listen, then, O Gujputi: you are in Holkar's power." "I know it." "You will die by the most horrible tortures to-morrow morning." "I dare say." "They will tear your teeth from your jaws, your nails from your fingers, and your eyes from your head." "Very possibly." "They will flay you alive, and then burn you." "Well; they can't do any more." "They will seize upon every man and woman in yonder fort,"-- it was not then taken!--"and repeat upon them the same tortures." "Ha! Belinda! Speak--how can all this be avoided ?" "Listen.

Gahagan loves the moon-face called Belinda." "He does, Vizier, to distraction." "Of what rank is he in the Koompani's army ?" "A captain." "A miserable captain--oh shame! Of what creed is he ?" "I am an Irishman, and a Catholic." "But he has not been very particular about his religious duties ?" "Alas, no." "He has not been to his mosque for these twelve years ?" "'Tis too true." "Hearken now, Gahagan Khan.

His Highness Prince Holkar has sent me to thee.

You shall have the moon-face for your wife--your second wife, that is;--the first shall be the incomparable Puttee Rooge, who loves you to madness;--with Puttee Rooge, who is the wife, you shall have the wealth and rank of Bobbachy Bahawder, of whom his Highness intends to get rid.
You shall be second in command of his Highness's forces.