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To marry again is impossible: the man who marries a widow suffers punishments which no one who has not lived under the traditions of caste can possibly comprehend. The wretched widow has not even the consolations which come from books: the decent Hindu woman does not know how to read or write. There was still one avenue of escape from this life. She might have become a nautchni.
"You can't save Amir Khan's life unless you betray the Bagrees to him?" "Yes, Sahib, I can. Perhaps the Chief will like Bootea, and will listen to what she says. Men such as brave warriors always treat Bootea not as a nautchni so I will ask him not to come to the tent at night because of ill repute.
At Benares she saw the bazaars, and the temples, and the palaces; the bathing in the Ganges, the burning of the dead on the bank of the sacred river, and a nautchni or dance of nautches; but her attention was chiefly drawn to the miserable fanaticism of the fakeers, who revelled in self-imposed tortures.
"Yes," the Dewan answered drily. "If a party of Bagrees were to go to the Pindari camp disguised as players and wrestlers, and the Gulab as a nautchni, Amir Khan might be enticed to her tent for she causes men to become drunk when she dances. Once she danced for Raja Karowlee, and, though he is old and fat and has more of wives than other possessions he became covetous of the girl.
Barlow sneered; "Nana Sahib knows nothing of mercy, he's a tiger." "But if I refuse to go another nautchni will be sent, perhaps more beautiful than I am, and she would betray the Chief, and perhaps all would be killed." "By Jove! you're some woman, you're magnificent you're like a Rajputni princess."
The guests having taken their seats, a large silver basin was brought in, with elaborately-wrought narghillies, and they were invited to smoke. This honour they declined. The rajah then smoked in solitary dignity his pipe being changed as soon as he had taken a few whiffs. A nautchni, or dance by nautches, was next provided for the visitors' entertainment.
A man of caste brings it, and it is but eggs from which no life has been taken, so you may eat. Then the chowkidar will go with you." Jungwa brought the breakfast and put it down, saying, "I will wait, Sahib, outside the bathroom door." "Here is money ten rupees for whatever is needed. Be courteous to the lady, for she is not a nautchni."
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