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