Chapter Twenty Four

On the evening of the following day, Ayesha, Osman, and the physician were seated in silence in Jagatsingh's chamber as before. Ayesha sat upon the couch, fanning him herself; the physician felt Jagatsingh's pulse at frequent intervals; Jagatsingh lay without sense. The physician had said that when the fever broke that night, there was a danger the prince might slip away; if he could weather that crisis, there would be no further cause for anxiety, and recovery would be certain. The hour of the fever's breaking was at hand, and all were therefore in a state of particular dread. The physician was feeling the pulse again and again, murmuring in half-heard words: "The pulse is faint" — "Fainter still" — "A little stronger" — and then suddenly his face clouded. He said: "The moment has come."

Ayesha and Osman listened without stirring. The physician held the pulse.

After a little while the physician said: "The signs are ill." Ayesha's countenance grew more pale. Suddenly a terrible change came over Jagatsingh's face; his features grew white; his hands clenched into hard fists; a strange convulsion began in his eyes. Ayesha saw that the moment of death's full dominion was almost come. The physician had been seated with his medicine ready in a vessel in his hand; at the first sight of these signs, he pried open the sick man's mouth with his fingers and poured in the draught. Much of it ran out from the corners of the lips; a little went down. The instant that little reached his inward parts, a change began to come over the patient. By degrees the terrible look faded from his features and a calmer expression settled in their place; the unnatural pallor of his complexion receded and colour slowly returned; the clenched hands relaxed; the eyes grew still, and then closed once more. The physician bent his whole mind upon reading the pulse. He did so for a long time, and then said with joy: "There is no more cause for fear; he is saved."

Osman asked: "Is the fever gone?"

The physician said: "It is."

Both Ayesha's and Osman's faces brightened. The physician said: "There is now no cause for further anxiety; there is no need for me to remain. Give him this medicine every hour until the second watch of the night." With these words the physician departed. Osman stayed a little longer, and then withdrew to his own chamber. Ayesha remained as before upon the couch, administering the medicines.

A little before the second watch of the night, the prince opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Ayesha's face, radiant and glad. From the expression of his eyes, Ayesha perceived that he was in a state of confusion; that he was striving to recollect something, but could not succeed. After a long while he looked at her and said: "Where am I?" It was the first words the prince had spoken in two days.

Ayesha answered: "In Katlu Khan's fort."

The prince again endeavoured to collect his memory, and after a long while said: "Why am I here?"

Ayesha was silent for a moment, then said: "Thou art ill."

The prince shook his head, turning the matter over, and said: "Nay, nay — I have been taken prisoner."

As he spoke these words, the expression of the prince's face changed.

Ayesha made no reply; she could see that his power of memory was returning.

After a moment the prince asked again: "Who art thou?"

"I am Ayesha."

"Who is Ayesha?"

"Katlu Khan's daughter."

The prince was again silent for a little; he had not yet strength to speak at length together. Having rested in silence for a short while, he said: "How many days have I been here?"

"Four days."

"Is the fort of Mandarana still in your possession?"

"It is."

Jagatsingh rested again for a little and said: "What has become of Birendrasingh?"

"Birendrasingh is held in prison; today his trial is to be."

The prince's already pale face grew paler still. He asked: "And what condition are the rest of the inhabitants of the fort in?"

Ayesha grew troubled. She said: "I am not acquainted with everything."

The prince murmured something to himself. A single name escaped his lips; Ayesha heard it — "Tilottama."

Ayesha rose quietly and went to fetch from the vessel the pleasant medicine the physician had prescribed. The prince watched the movement of her extraordinary form, with its swaying ear-ornaments. Ayesha brought the medicine; the prince drank it and said: "In the delirium of my sickness I had visions — a celestial maiden of heaven sat at my head and tended me. Was that thee, or was it Tilottama?"

Ayesha answered: "Thou wilt have dreamed of Tilottama."