1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

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A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
for such safet y m yself, and neither, I am sure, does she. For the
moment I leave her with you, on condition that she receives respect and
good treatment from you, in return for which I will, should I be
satisfied, pay you the mone ys and other articles that I have agreed to
hand over to you.”
“Am I then to have no hope of eventually possessing her as my wife?”
Mohamed Jan asked, with well-feigned regret.
“None, emphatically none,” the Vizier replied warmly. “Put that idea
out of your head for ever. When m y daughter marries she shall marry a
patriot.”
“Do you not think it is rather hard that I should have had a girl named
on me for so long, and then be told finally that I am to have no chance
of ever possessing her?”
Ghu lam Hossain looked at him surprised. “There has never been any
mention of your finally obtaining her in marriage. It was an understood
thing that you were to receive her into yo ur establishment on condition
that you received certain articles in return. You have not used the gun,
so perhaps you do not know how good a one it is.”
Both men remained silent for some time, then Ghulam Hossain rose.
“It is quite clear, then, that my daughter remains here as yours and
your mothers guest,” he said, “until such time as I can fetch her, and
that in return for this service you shall, when the time expires, receive
rewards according to the way in which you have treated her, and the
length of time she has been with you.”
Mohamed Jan did not seem over well satisfied. “Kismet,” he
murmured, “but I think the money at least should be paid in advance.”
“My bargain is made,” Ghulam Hossain replied firmly, “and may God
deal with you as you shall deal with m y daughter. Now send her to me
here.”
He spoke alwa ys as one accustomed to be obeyed, and the man he
addressed at once left the room to summon his guest. In the meantime
the Vizier did not resume his seat, but continued pacing up and down.
“I am, indeed, in sore difficult y,” he said. “I have myself no means of
protecting this girl, and her presence is a distinct danger to our village,
but I mistrust this man. I should have got to know him better before I
placed this great trust in his hands. I judged him too entirely by his
father. The son has nothing in common with that good soul. He is not
worthy of the confidence I reposed in him. I fear he is but little short
of a traitor.” And then his daughter entered, and he went to meet her.