Some of the night had already passed. Inside the Rohtasgarh fort, in her own chamber, poor Kishori sat, lost in some unknown thought, pondering over something. No other woman was with her. At last, hearing the sound of footsteps, Kishori, lost in her reverie, lifted her head and looked towards the door. Lali entered, greeted her, and said, "Forgive me, I have come into this room without your permission."

Kishori: I have already ordered the maidservants that no one is to enter this room, and along with that, I also told them that if Lali wishes to come, she should not be stopped.

Lali: Indeed, you have shown me great kindness.

Kishori: But I do not know why you do not show the same compassion towards me! Come, sit.

Lali: (Sitting down) Please do not say such things. I am ready, with all my heart and soul, to be of service to you.

Kishori: These are all empty words. If that were truly the case, then why do you hide from me the secret concerning yourself and Kundan? I was already troubled by the matter of the Narangi, but ever since Kundan has managed to influence you with her words, my anxiety has only increased.

Lali: Certainly, you must have been greatly surprised. I can swear that what Kundan told me at that time, or the things she said that frightened me, she herself did not know beforehand. If she had known, then when I tried to threaten her by showing the Narangi, she would have taken her revenge on me right then. Now I am convinced that someone from outside has indeed entered this house, someone who has revealed our secrets to Kundan and made her aware. Alas, now my life seems destined to be lost for nothing, for Kundan is a most merciless and wicked woman.

Kishori: Your words only increase my anxiety. For mercy's sake, tell me something—what is the secret?

Lali: I will tell you everything, and I will relieve your worries, but tonight, please forgive me once more and help me with something right now.

Kishori: What is it?

Lali: I am now certain that my life cannot be saved by any means, yet I will still try whatever I can to escape. I wish, before my death, to rid this world of Kundan, but I am caught in such a dilemma that I cannot even resolve to do so. However, I do wish to know something particular about Kundan, and after that, I want to enter that house at the corner of the garden—the one that is always locked, with two women standing guard at the door in turns, each holding a naked sword. I need your help with these two things.

Kishori: Do you know what is inside that house?

Lali: Yes, I know something, and I wish to learn the rest of the secret. I am certain that if you come inside that house with me, and if both of us manage