1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

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148 A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR time in purgator y. The dead man out of gratitude, therefore, intercedes with the Almight y on behalf of the man who is releasing him from his time of purification, and if this intercessor has been a man whose life on earth has been well sp ent, and who is, therefore, in favour with the Deit y, it is highl y probable that his petition will be listened to and granted. CHAPTER XXVII A MOURNER THREE months passed. The Chief Secretary never missed a day at Durbar, after the first customary days of mourning, but he was no longer the life and centre of the court. His business done, be went home. “What is the matter with you?” the Ameer asked him kindly one day. “You look to me thin and bloodless, are you ill?”

149 A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR “I am not very well,” he said. “I think I would like to go to India and pay a visit to my mother.” “Oh, nonsense,” the Ameer replied, sufficiently hastily to show that the suggestion did not please him. “We shall see what we can do for you here. You are not a child that you must go home to your mother; you are sick. What you need is a tonic. Where is the Hakim? Send for him, some one. I shall prescribe for you myself, and a most costly medicine, too; but what is cost when a valuable official’s health has to be preserved?” The Chief Secretary brightened up. His master’s solicitude cheered and comforted him. He placed his right hand over his heart, and bowed profoundly. “Ma y God preserve your Majest y,” he murmured. “Bring some of that tonic paste I ordered you to make a little while ago,” the Ameer said later on to the Hakim, when he came in answer to the summons; “that with frankincense, and rubies and pearls in it.” Then turning to his secretary he went on: “The rubies are to lighten and strengthen your brain and heart, the frankincense will clear your blood, and the pearls will produce a general sense of well-being. But besides these there are other ingredients, which all tend to produce the same results. A wonderful pick-me-up you will find it. You must take some night and morning, and you will soon feel a different creature.” “This apathy has nothing to do with health,” a handsome, mischievous boy remarked gaily. “The silly fellow is heart sick, your Majesty.” “Heart sick? What has he to make him heart sick; he is not in love, is he?” “He is though, your Majesty, and in love in the most hopeless way. He is in love with a dead woman.” The Ameer looked up quickly. “What does that mean?” he asked. The Chief Secretary stood leaning on his stick wearily, but said nothing. “He is spend ing all his spare time in tombs, you Majest y. You should prohibit it,” said another, laughing. “Wah, wah!” the Ameer murmured. “How is this? Speak up, man.” An older courtier, and kinder, the royal cupbearer, who was standing near, whispered in his master’s ear, “He lost his wife three months ago, your Majesty, and has never been the same since.” “Ah!” said the Ameer, “so he did, I had forgotten.”

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