And for a second she was horribly frightened, as though an iron trap had closed upon her and held her at his mercy.
He walked to the door without speaking and opened it.

She expected him to go, sat waiting breathlessly for his departure, but instead he stood motionless, looking into the dark passage.
She wondered with nerves on edge what he was waiting for.

Suddenly she heard a step without, a few murmured words, and Nick stood on one side.

Her father's Sikh orderly passed him, carrying a tray on which was a glass full of some dark liquid.

He set it down on the table before her with a deep salaam.
"The General Sahib wishes Missy Sahib to have a good night," he said.
"He cannot come to her himself, but he sends her this by his servant, and he bids her drink it and sleep." Muriel looked up at the man in surprise.