Chapter Nineteen

Moti reached Agra. There is no longer need to call her Moti. In those few days the whole bent of her spirit had been wholly transformed.

She had audience of Jahangir. Jahangir received her, as of old, with favour, and inquired of her brother's welfare and of her journey. That which Lutfunnisa had spoken to Meher-un-nissa came to pass. After other discourse, upon hearing of Burdwan, Jahangir asked,

"Thou sayest that thou wast with Meher-un-nissa two days; what said Meher-un-nissa concerning me?"

Lutfunnisa, with an open heart, made known to him Meher-un-nissa's love. The Emperor, hearing her, remained silent; from his wide-opened eyes a tear or two ran down.

Lutfunnisa said, "Jahanpanah! Thy handmaid hath brought glad tidings. No reward hath yet been decreed unto thy handmaid."

The Emperor said, smiling, "Bibi! thy desires know no bound."

Lu. Jahanpanah! What is the fault of thy handmaid?

Emp. The Emperor of Delhi I have made thy slave; dost thou yet seek further reward?

Lutfunnisa, smiling, said, "A woman's longings are many."

Emp. What new longing now?

Lu. First let the royal word be given, that thy handmaid's petition shall be granted.

Emp. If it bring no hindrance to the affairs of state.

Lu. (smiling) For one alone, the affairs of the Lord of Delhi shall not be hindered.

Emp. Then I grant it; let me hear what thy longing is.

Lu. The longing hath come upon me — that I shall marry.

Jahangir broke into loud laughter. "A novel longing in truth," he said. "Is the match anywhere arranged?"

Lu. It is arranged. Only the royal sanction is awaited. Till the king's consent be made known, no match is settled.

Emp. What need of my sanction? Whom hast thou minded to set afloat upon this sea of bliss?

Lu. Thy handmaid, because she hath served the Lord of Delhi, is no twofold woman. Thy handmaid seeks leave to wed her own husband.

Emp. Indeed! And what shall become of this old liegeman?

Lu. I shall bestow him upon Meher-un-nissa, the Empress of Delhi.

Emp. Who is Meher-un-nissa, Empress of Delhi?

Lu. She who shall be.

Jahangir thought within himself that Lutfunnisa had taken it for certain that Meher-un-nissa would become Empress of Delhi; and thereby, perceiving her own desires unfulfilled, she sought in disgust to withdraw herself from the royal household.

So thinking, Jahangir was grieved and held his peace. Lutfunnisa said, "Hath your Majesty no consent in this matter?"

Emp. I have no want of consent. But where the husband already lives, what need of a second wedding?

Lu. By the chance of fate, at the first wedding the husband did not take his wife unto himself. Now he cannot forsake your Majesty's handmaid.

The Emperor laughed merrily, then growing grave, said, "Beloved! There is naught I would deny thee. If such be thy will, then so do. But why must thou forsake me and go? Do not both the sun and the moon shine in one sky? Do not two flowers blossom on one stalk?"

Lutfunnisa, fixing a wide gaze upon the Emperor, said, "Lesser flowers may bloom together, but two lotuses bloom not upon one stem. Wherefore should I dwell as a thorn beneath your Majesty's bejewelled throne?"

Lutfunnisa departed unto her own chamber. The cause whence such a desire was born in her, she had not laid open before Jahangir. As might be guessed by surmise, so did Jahangir guess, and rest content. Of the secret truth he learned nothing. Lutfunnisa's heart was of stone. Selim's royal grace, conqueror of women's hearts, had never yet enthralled her mind. But now into the stone a worm had entered.