said, taking out a thick bundle of notes that occupied the whole
inside of the poor, limp pocket-book; and as the old woman
stretched out a skinny claw for them and began to slowly count
them, he turned his gaze away, on to the upturned face of the girl
watching him with sensual adoration.

The old woman counted through the notes, and then securely tied
them into the end of her chudda.

"The sum is the due sum, well counted," she said, looking up; "and
when will my lord take his slave?"

"To-night," Hamilton replied briefly, but not without a swift
enquiring glance into the girl's eyes. Though he had bought and
paid for her, he could not get out of the Western knack of
considering that the girl's desires had to be consulted.

The old woman raised her hands in affected horror.

"To-night! But she is not well clothed, she is not bathed and
anointed; the bridal robes are not prepared. My lord, it cannot
be!"

Hamilton looked at Saidie; she crept to his side and put her head
on his breast.

"Yes, to-night, take me to-night," she murmured eagerly; he smiled,
and put his arm around her.

"The bridal clothes are of no consequence," he answered decisively.