Chapter Seventeen

On the day when Motibibi, or Lutfunnisa, having taken her leave of Nabakumar, set out toward Bardhaman, she could not on that day reach Bardhaman. She halted at another inn. In the evening she sat conversing with Peshman, when of a sudden Moti asked her,

"Peshman! How didst thou find my husband?"

Peshman, somewhat surprised, said, "How indeed should I find him?" Moti said, "Is he or is he not a comely man?"

A particular ill-will toward Nabakumar had grown up in Peshman's heart. Those ornaments which Moti had given to Kapalkundala — for these Peshman had a strong covetousness; in her own heart she had nursed the hope that one day she would ask them for herself. That hope had been cut off at the root, and therefore against Kapalkundala and her husband both her hatred was bitter. Thus in answer to her mistress's question she said,

"What matters comely or uncomely in a poor Brahmin?"

Reading her companion's mind, Moti said with a smile, "If a poor Brahmin become an Omrah, will he then be a comely man or no?"

Pe. What is this now?

Moti. Why, dost thou not know that the Begum hath promised that if Khusrau become Emperor, my husband shall become an Omrah?

Pe. That I know. But why should thy former husband become an Omrah?

Moti. What other husband have I then?

Pe. The one who shall become so anew.

Moti laughed faintly and said, "A chaste woman such as I am with two husbands — a most unseemly thing — who passeth yonder?"

The person at whom Moti had looked when she said, "Who passeth yonder?" — Peshman recognised him; he was an inhabitant of Agra, a man under the protection of Khan Azim. Both were stirred. Peshman called to him. The man came, and after making obeisance to Lutfunnisa, gave her a letter, saying, "I was going with this letter to Orissa. The letter is urgent."

When Moti had read it, all her hopes and expectations were extinguished. The substance of the letter was this:

"All our endeavours have failed. Even at his death-hour, by the strength of his own wisdom, Akbar Shah hath put us to rout. He hath departed to the other world. By his command, Prince Salim is now Jahangir Shah. Thou shalt no longer trouble thyself for Khusrau. That no one upon this occasion may work harm against thee, do thou return with all speed to Agra."

The means by which Akbar Shah brought this conspiracy to nothing is set forth in history; there is no need to relate it here.

Having rewarded the messenger and sent him away, Moti read the letter to Peshman. Peshman said,

"What now is to be done?"

Moti. Now there is nothing to be done.

Pe. (Thinking awhile.) Well, what loss is there in it? Thou shalt remain as thou wast; and the meanest woman of the Mughal Emperor's harem stands above the chief queen of any other realm.

Moti. (With a slight smile.) That can no longer be. I cannot remain any longer in that palace. Soon the marriage of Jahangir and Meher-un-nissa will take place. Meher-un-nissa I have known from her tender years; once she becomes a dweller of the palace, she will be the true sovereign; Jahangir will be Emperor in name only. That I sought to bar her path to the throne — this will not remain hidden from her. What then shall be my plight?

Peshman, on the verge of weeping, said, "Then what shall be done?"

Moti said, "There is one hope. Of what mind is Meher-un-nissa toward Jahangir? Such as is her firmness, if she be not enamoured of Jahangir, but be truly devoted to her own husband, then though Jahangir slay a hundred Sher Afgans, he shall not gain Meher-un-nissa. But if Meher-un-nissa truly desireth Jahangir, then there is no hope at all."

Pe. By what means wilt thou learn Meher-un-nissa's mind?

Moti laughed and said, "What is impossible to Lutfunnisa? Meher-un-nissa is the friend of my childhood — tomorrow at Bardhaman I shall go to her, and abide two days at her side."

Pe. If Meher-un-nissa prove enamoured of him, what wilt thou do?

M. My father used to say, "In the field, the work shall be made known."

For a space both were silent. With a faint smile, Moti's lips curled. Peshman asked, "Why dost thou smile?"

Moti said, "A new thought is rising in me."

Pe. What new thought?

Moti did not tell it to Peshman. Nor shall we tell it to the reader. It will be revealed hereafter.