1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

167
A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
“The only hope I have, the hope of a grant of freedom for my tribe, or
at least for my family. I have lost ever ything.” The exile bowed his
head, and only with great effort restrained himself from tears.
The Chief Secretary was deeply moved. He, too, had lost, he could
sympahtise. “Come, I can comfort you a little, at any rate,” he said. “It
is night now, you can come inside. The women are all in their rooms. I
will send some one to you who may make life seem more bearable.”
They went downstairs through a long dark passage, and then through
the porter’s lodge, or cupboard as it might more appropriately have
been called, and thence through the square, round which the harem was
built.
Not a sound broke on the stillness of the summer night, save the
footfall of the two men as the y passed along the flags that were laid
along the edge near the house to from a path in wet weather.
As they went up the four or five steps that led to one of the entrances,
the rustle of a woman’s clothes was distinctly audible, and the master
of the house paused to satisfy himself as to what it was. Apparently it
was all right, for the y entered the long, narrow room, the floor of
which was covered with quilted felt of the most brilliant crimson, and
at the far end was a couch with pillows, and a quilt all laid out for the
night.
“This is where I am sleeping just now,” he said, addressing his guest.
“Stay here and I will send some one to prepare a bed for you. I may
return later.”
“Ho, there!” he called below his breath when he had closed the door,
leaving his guest inside, and Gul Begum, ever watchfu l, ever ready,
stood before him.
“A traveller, a Hazara, has come, and I have offered him hospitalit y for
the night. He is in m y room. I wish you to go and see that he has
everything that he can require. If he is hungr y, take him food. If he is
thirst y, you know where to find cyrups and sherbets. You may have
seen the man before. He ma y be a friend; if so, let no exclamation
escape you. He has come here in disguise and in the greatest secrecy,
and if discovered he might be captured. No mention of his visit is to be
made to the slaves, not even to your cousin, certainly not to your
mother; you understand ?”
She put her hand on her heart as if to still its throbbing, her pulse beats
faster, her breathing quickened. Even in the dim light of the stars her
master could see her heightened colour.