After he had retired, it roused no suspicion when she asked to be left alone for a few moments with the new servant.  With her assistance, she made use of the opportunity to put on the light Indian man’s clothes which the Circassian had brought with her in a parcel.  The guards, who were by this time intoxicated, had allowed the slender young rajah, into whom she had transformed herself, to depart unmolested, and Morar Gopal, who was waiting for her at a place agreed upon close at hand, had conducted her to Heideck’s tent, where she might, for the moment at least, consider herself to be safe.

“But Georgi?” asked the Captain with some anxiety.  “She remained in the women’s tent?  What will happen to her when her share in your flight is discovered?”

“The idea also tormented me.  But the heroic girl repeatedly assured me that she would find a way to escape, and that in any case she would have nothing to fear, as soon as she appealed to Prince Tchajawadse.”

“That may be so; but that hardly agrees with her wish to keep the fact of her presence in the camp a secret from the Prince.  The girl’s behaviour is a complete riddle to me.  I do not understand what can have induced her to sacrifice herself with such wonderful unselfishness for us, who are really only strangers to her, in whom she can feel no interest.  Certainly she was not actuated by any thought of a reward.  She has the pride of her race, and I am certain that she would consider any offer of one as an insult.”

“I think the same.  But perhaps I can guess her real motives.”

“And won’t you tell me what you think?”

Edith hesitated a little; but she was not one of those women who allow any petty emotion to master them.

“I think, my friend, that she loves you,” she said, with a slight, enchanting smile.  “Some unguarded expressions and the fire that kindled in her eyes as soon as we mentioned your name, made me feel almost certain of it.  The fact that, notwithstanding, she helped to set me free, is certainly, in the circumstances, only a stronger proof of her magnanimity.  But I understand it perfectly.  A woman in love, if of noble character, is capable of any act of self-denial.”

Heideck shook his head.

“I think your shrewdness has played you false on this occasion.  I am firmly convinced that she is Prince Tchajawadse’s mistress, and, from all I have seen of their relations, it seems to me inconceivable that she would be unfaithful to him for the sake of a stranger, with whom she has only interchanged a few casual words.”

“Well, perhaps we may have an opportunity of settling whether I am wrong or not.  But now, my friend, I should first of all like to know what you have decided about me.”

Heideck was in some embarrassment how to answer, and spoke hesitatingly of his intention to send her to Ambala with Morar Gopal.  But Edith would not allow him to finish.  She interrupted him with a decided gesture of dissent.