human
There must be unfavourable conjunctions among the planets to-day, depend upon it, daughter, she said at length, rousing herself, and drying her eyes,
gpt
Look! continued the lady after a pause, and a brief examination of an astrological table, which she usually carried about her,
human
she continued, counting the signs of the zodiac, as before, on her fingers,
gpt
Aries, Taurus--why, God be merciful! here follows Mars, and he's an executioner--and they are in the Kótwallee--the Prophet's mercy be on them! Yet, stay, Mars will last for only three hours; then comes, let me see--Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Moon--no, Venus, Jupiter, Moon. Yes, I am right now, girl. That means messenger, and Venus is propitious. Ah, yes, don't you see it all, Zyna? Don't you understand? Look, first the Moon, that's we ourselves, as messengers; and then Venus will save them, if we can get past Mars. Of course it is quite plain. Don't you see?
human
Alas, no, mother! I do not, said Zyna, innocently.
gpt
I see figures and numbers, and angles and signs, but it is hopeless to ask me about them. You are a wise woman, and this is a marvellous science. Surely, and please God, you are right.
human
O, I see exactly what to do; and it is well I can pick out a path among these mysteries, cried Lurlee, brightening,
gpt
she cried to the cook, who, when her mistress came to usurp her functions, discreetly kept out of the way.
human
Jameela, bring some bread and some pickle; we must eat now.
gpt
But you have the kichéri, said the dame.
human
Surely it is not burnt,
gpt
Begone, graceless! cried Lurlee, who well knew the old woman was rejoicing in her heart over her discomfiture;
human
There is none but the men's bread, and it is coarse enough, for the meal was not sifted, returned Jameela.
gpt
When _you_ take to cooking, of course I am not expected to be mindful of other light bread, and such things; but----
human
Begone, and do as you are bid,
gpt
I will bring the best of it, Khánum, she said,
human
Where is Goolab? Ah yes, do so, Jameela, and bring them quickly, replied her mistress;
gpt
I will send her, lady, said the cook, departing;
human
Now, what is to be done? asked Zyna.
gpt
O mother, thou seemest to understand everything, and art confident, and I am distracted with apprehension. O my father! O my brother! God keep you safe. I vow lights at Peer Sahib's tomb, and to feed a hundred Fakeers there to-morrow, if they be safe!
human
We must go to the palace, and inquire why thy father is detained, replied Lurlee decisively.
gpt
Ah, Goolab, where wert thou? But never mind, she continued, as the dame entered.
human
Lay out clothes for us; we must go to the palace; and bid some one go and say we pray to see the Bégum Sahiba, and order the palankeens and an escort to be ready. Inshalla! daughter, we will see what this evil-minded and base-born Kótwal can do.
gpt
And the jewels, Khánum?
human
Ah! I had forgotten. Well, a few.
gpt
No, mother, no! cried Zyna,
human
I tell thee the Peer cannot help us, returned the dame tartly;
gpt
for Lurlee always added the respectful addition of _bee_, for lady,--when she was in good humour, to her cook, who now entered with a tray of hot bread and delicate phoolkas, and a white cloth over her arm: