Chapter Twenty Three

That evening Ayesha and Osman remained by Jagatsingh until late in the night. Jagatsingh came to himself at intervals, and fell senseless at intervals; the physician came and examined him many times. Ayesha tended the prince without ceasing or rest. When the second watch of the night came, a serving-woman entered and told Ayesha that the Begum had sent for her.

"I am coming," said Ayesha, and rose from her seat. Osman rose also. Ayesha asked: "Art thou rising as well?"

Osman said: "It is night; come, let me escort thee."

Ayesha gave instructions to the servants to remain watchful, and set out toward her mother's apartments. On the way, Osman asked: "Wilt thou remain with the Begum tonight?"

Ayesha answered: "No; I shall return to the prince presently."

Osman said: "Ayesha, I cannot measure the limits of thy virtue. The care thou art lavishing upon this our great enemy — a sister doth not so for a brother. Thou art giving the man his life."

Ayesha smiled upon her lovely face and said: "Osman! I am a woman by nature; to tend the suffering is my highest duty. Not to do it were a fault, and to do it earns no special praise. But what of thee? He who was thine utmost enemy, the rival who robbed thee of thy glory on the field of battle, he whose present condition thou hast wrought with thine own hand — thou art daily busying thyself in causing him to be nursed, in causing his recovery; it is thou who art truly deserving of praise."

Osman, looking somewhat abashed, said: "Thou, Ayesha, seest all men in the light of thine own fine nature. My motives are not so good as thou supposest. Dost thou not see how much we stand to gain if Jagatsingh lives? Should the prince die now, what would become of us? Man Singh is in no way inferior to Jagatsingh upon the battlefield; one warrior would simply be replaced by another. But if Jagatsingh remains alive and is held prisoner in our hands, then we have Man Singh at our mercy; for the love of his dear son he will surely make such peace with us as shall be to our advantage; and Akbar too, for the sake of regaining so skilful a general, may well be disposed to attend to terms of peace. Moreover, if by our good treatment we can oblige Jagatsingh himself, he too may intercede and make endeavours on our behalf for a settlement to our liking; and his endeavours will not be altogether fruitless. And if in the end nothing else comes of it, we can at least demand a great sum from Man Singh as the price of Jagatsingh's liberty. Jagatsingh alive is of more use to us than a single victory in open battle."

Osman had no doubt pursued the prince's restoration to life from these calculations; yet there was something else besides. There are those who, lest the world should call them tender-hearted and think them womanish, make a show of hardness; and who, even while they perform acts of benevolence, do so with a laugh of contempt for such softness. If any enquire, they say: "I have great need in this matter." Ayesha knew very well that Osman was one of these. Smiling, she said: "Would that all men were as far-sighted in their self-interest as thou, Osman. Then there would be no further use for religion."

Osman hesitated a little, then said in a low voice: "I shall give thee yet another proof that I am a man of supreme self-interest."

Ayesha turned her eyes, bright as a cloud charged with lightning, steadily upon Osman's face.

Osman said: "I have been clinging to a tendril of hope; how long shall I water its roots?"

Ayesha's countenance grew grave. Even in this alteration of expression Osman saw a fresh beauty. Ayesha said: "Osman, I walk and sit with thee as a sister with a brother. If thou art so bold as this, I shall not venture into thy presence again."

The gladness faded from Osman's face. He said: "Ever this same answer! O Creator — hast Thou in truth fashioned a heart of stone within this flowery form?"

Osman escorted Ayesha to her mother's door and returned to his own dwelling with a heavy spirit.

And Jagatsingh?

He lay insensible upon his bed, tormented by the violence of his fever.