SCREENED BEAUTY. 353 



sinking, it was time for them to be moving home- 

 wards. 



On this hint the nautch was stopped, and, after 

 salaaming, the performers left. As they retired, the 

 light from the door-way fell on a perforated screen 

 at the side of the room, and Norman caught sight 

 of what Hawkes had for some time been in close 

 observation. 



Behind this screen a piece of carved stone-work 

 let into the wall Hawkes had fancied he could 

 dimly discern the outlines of several female figures 

 flitting to-and-fro ; and on one occasion a suppressed 

 giggle such as is only producible by the fairer half 

 of humanity had confirmed him in his conjecture. 



Examining the spot with a deeper interest and 

 a more curious gaze, he felt persuaded that he 

 detected the flashing glance of a dark eye and the 

 shape of a female head ; and he smiled as he bowed 

 towards it. Again he thought he detected a low 

 laugh ; but, if this were the case, he found no 

 opportunity of satisfying himself as to the personal 

 appearance of its possessor. 



The uttur-pan was brought in, and, the usual 

 ceremonies concluded, the guests were conducted 

 as before, and, after taking leave of their hosts at 

 the foot of the building, rode away. 



Hawkes had, it is true, looked narrowly at the 



