A great big seal came into view , which she saw to be her father 's , and at the sight of it she paused for a minute half ashamed of what she was doing . But the pleasure of taking a letter which was not meant for her was more than she could resist , and in another moment it was in her hand . All at once she remembered that it would be death to this poor officer if he lost the letter , and that at all hazards she must put it back again . But this was not so easy ; and , moreover , the letter in her hand burnt her with longing to read it , and see what was inside . She examined the seal . It was sticky with being exposed to the hot sun , and with a very little effort it parted from the paper . The letter was open and she read it ! And this was what was written : ` Behead the messenger who brings this letter secretly and at once . Ask no questions . ' The girl grew pale . What a shame ! she thought . SHE would not let a handsome young fellow like that be beheaded ; but how to prevent it was not quite clear at the moment . Some plan must be invented , and she wished to lock herself in where no one could interrupt her , as might easily happen in the garden . So she crept softly to her room , and took a piece of paper and wrote upon it : ` Marry the messenger who brings this letter to the princess openly at once . Ask no questions . ' And even contrived to work the seals off the original letter and to fix them to this , so that no one could tell , unless they examined it closely , that it had ever been opened . Then she slipped back , shaking with fear and excitement , to where the young officer still lay asleep , thrust the letter into the fold so his turban , and hurried back to her room . It was done ! Late in the afternoon Nur Mahomed woke , and , making sure that the precious despatch was still safe , went off to get ready for his audience with the governor .
As soon as he was ushered into his presence he took the letter from his turban and placed it XXXXX the governor 's hands according to orders .
So as if in of than to unless upon with