AMRA. 147 



c< She will yet live," he passionately exclaimed ; and the Brahman 

 replied, calmly and disdainfully, " If she be the daughter of Sarma, 

 she will die." Then rending his garments, and tearing off his turban, 

 he sat down upon the sacrificial hearth ; and taking up dust and ashes, 

 scattered them on his bare head and flowing beard : he then remain- 

 ed motionless, with his chin upon his bosom, and his arms crossed 

 upon his knees. In vain did Faizi kneel before him, and weep, and 

 supplicate for one word, one look : he was apparently lost to all con- 

 sciousness, rigid, torpid ; and, but that he breathed, and that there was 

 at times a convulsive movement in his eyelids, it might have been 

 thought that life itself was suspended, or had altogether ceased. 



Thus did this long and most miserable day wear away, and night 

 came on. Faizi who had spent the hours in walking to and fro 

 like a troubled demon, now listening at the door of the zenana, from 

 which no sound proceeded, now endeavouring in vain to win by the 

 most earnest entreaties, some sign of life or recognition from the old 

 man could no longer endure the horror of his own sensations. He 

 stepped into the open air, and leaned his head against the porch. 

 The breeze, which blew freshly against his parched lips and throbbing 

 temples, revived his faculties. After a few moments he thought he 

 could distinguish voices, and the trampling of men and horses, borne 

 on the night air. He raised his hands in ecstasy. Again he bent 

 his ear to listen : he heard the splash of an oar. " They come" he 

 exclaimed, almost aloud, " one more plunge, and it is done. This 

 hapless and distracted old man I will save from his own and others* 

 fury, and still be to him a son, in his own despite. And, Amra, 

 my own, my beautiful, my beloved, oh, how richly shall the future 

 atone for these hours of anguish. In these arms the cruel pride and 

 prejudices of thy race shall be forgotten. At thy feet I will pour the 

 treasures of the world, and lift thee to joys beyond the brightest vi- 

 sions of youthful fancy. But O merciful Allah" 



At the same moment a long, loud, and piercing shriek was heard 

 from the women's apartments, followed by lamentable wailings. He 

 made but one bound to the door. It resisted but his despair was 

 strong. He rushed against it with a force, that burst it from its 

 hinges, and precipitated him into the midst of the chamber. It was 

 empty and dark ; so was the next and the next. At last he reached 

 the inner and most sacred apartment. He beheld the lifeless form 

 of Amra extended on the ground. Over her face was thrown an 

 embroidered veil : her head rested on the lap of her nurse, whose 

 features appeared rigid with horror. The rest of the women, who 

 were weeping and wailing, covered their heads, and fled at his approach. 



