1 68 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 Kuddee Kuddeeallee, a tract at the foot of the hills, reaching
3 from Bhimber to the river Jhelum and adjacent to the dis-
4 tricts held by Goolaub Sing. This chief had so far ingra-
5 tiated himself with the Ranee that she had made him her
6 Mooktear or confidential agent, and hence the management of
7 all her property, including this jaghire, came into his hands,
8 and as may be supposed, he turned the trust to the best advan-
9 tage for himself. Chund Kour never got more out of this
10 jaghire that was settled upon her, or out of the other property,
11 than served her for a bare maintenance. She left the palace and
12 the fort at Lahore, and went to reside in the house in the
13 city formerly belonging to her late son, No Nehal Sing. She
14 might have remained in the palace, as Shere Sing wished her
15 to do, and have accepted of his offer to make her one of his
16 wives by the process of Chudur dalna, or throwing the sheet
17 over her, but for the intrigues of Golaub Sing, who well knew
18 that if this came to pass, her jaghire and property would be taken
19 out of his hands. He feared also that should she become the
20 wife of Shere Sing, that prince would soon induce her to
21 disclose secrets respecting the money and jewels which she
22 herself had entrusted to Goolaub Sing to carry out of the
23 fort on the occasion of its surrender, as well as regarding the
24 treasure and valuables which he had carried away on his own
25 account. He had but a frail and confiding woman to deal
26 with, one whose only thought, unhappily, was how she might
27 satisfy her thirst for pleasure ; as, therefore, he promised her
28 full scope in this matter and as much money as she might re-
29 quire on condition that she should not listen to the overtures of
30 Shere Sing, who he said only wanted to lead her to her
31 destruction, she readily consented to remove into the city, where
32 she was assured of the protection of Goolaub Sing, and of
33 his brother the Minister, who bound themselves by oath to be
34 faithful to her interests.
35 Thus things went on for some months, Chund Kour impli-