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VI . Saving Aouda A long line of people came slowly along the path . First there were priests in long robes , singing and beating drums . Behind them some men were leading a young woman . She was very beautiful , and she was wearing rich clothes and gold jewellery . But her face was pale , and she walked slowly , as if she was half asleep . Behind her , some men were carrying the body of an old man . Soldiers with swords walked at the end of the line . Sir Francis watched them with a sad face . “ I know what this is , ” he said quietly . “ What is it ? ” asked Mr Fogg . “ The old man was a rajah , a prince of this country , ” said the guide . “ The young woman is his wife . Tomorrow morning at sunrise , they will burn her with her husband’s body . ” “ Burn her alive ? ” cried Passepartout . “ It is a very old custom here , ” said Sir Francis . “ Our government has made it against the law . But this part of India has its own princes , and the law does not always reach here . ” The guide knew the young woman’s story . Her name was Aouda , and she was the daughter of a rich merchant from Bombay . She went to an English school there , and she spoke English perfectly . When her father died , her family married her to the old rajah against her will . Now the rajah was dead . Aouda knew what was waiting for her , so she tried to escape . But the rajah’s family caught her and brought her back . “ Poor young woman ! ” said Passepartout . His eyes were full of tears . Mr Fogg was silent for a moment . Then he said , “ I have twelve hours in hand . I can use them for this . Let us save her . ” Sir Francis looked at him in surprise . “ Why , Mr Fogg , you have a heart after all ! ” “ Sometimes , ” answered Mr Fogg quietly . “ When I have the time . ” The brave young guide agreed to help them . They waited in the forest until night . Then they came quietly to an old temple , where the priests were keeping the young woman . They wanted to cut a hole in the back wall and take her out in the dark . But guards with torches were standing all round the temple , and they did not sleep . The travellers could not get near . The night passed . Mr Fogg sat and waited calmly . Nobody saw that Passepartout was not with them any more . At sunrise the doors of the temple opened . The priests led Aouda out and laid her on a great pile of wood next to the rajah’s body . She did not move . The priests had given her a strong drug , and she was in a deep sleep . Then they set fire to the wood . Mr Fogg jumped up . He wanted to run to the fire , and Sir Francis and the guide had to hold him back . But at that moment , something strange happened .
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