Chapter XII
AHMAD AGAIN NONPLUSSED
In the furtherance of his design, Ahmad anticipated what might betermed a scene when he made his report to the Rani upon the followingmorning. He fully expected, from his observation of the character ofwomen in general, that he would find her enraged and vindictive withPrasad, as the result of the Hindu noble's failure to respond promptlyto her summons. In this respect he was again destined to experience asurprise, if not a disappointment.
She received him sedately as became the nature of the business to betransacted, and without a reference to the event which had caused herto display so much feeling on the day before. If Prasad's image stilloccupied a place in her mind, no mention of his name came from her lipsto mark her sentiment toward him. Had her heart been entirely free fromthe tender passion, she could not have appeared more composed, moresecure in all that related to her nature as a woman.
From time to time Ahmad gazed upon her with wonder. In order to drawforth from her an outburst of the fire of resentment which he wasconvinced burned inwardly, he more than once skillfully turned theconversation in the direction of her truant lover; but the Rani asskillfully declined his lead, passing on naturally to matters of publicimportance.
She absolutely refused to disclose, from the beginning to the end ofthe interview, what her thoughts or intentions were in regard to theMohammedan's rival.
As he was about to leave her presence, Ahmad paused on the thresholdwith the hope that she would yet make some reference to Prasad.
The Rani glanced toward him interrogatively.
"Hast thou more to say, O Ahmad"? she asked calmly.
"Nothing, nothing, great Lady," he answered falteringly, as he saluted.
She returned the salute with dignity.
"Then I wish thee good fortune until the morrow," she concluded.
He left the palace with uneasy speculations rising in his mind.Treacherous to the core of his nature himself, the Rani's reserve ofmanner, caused him to suspect that treachery was lurking somewhereamong his own following.
Could that rascal of an astrologer be playing a double part? was thefirst thought that flashed into Ahmad's brain; or could Prasad beacting in the Rani's confidence as a spy upon his actions? If thelatter happened to be the case, he reasoned that the Hindu noble mustpossess a power of deception of which he had certainly not displayedthe least symptom as yet. Ahmad decided that this was unlikely. If,then, the astrologer was in reality conspiring against him, for greaterpay on the part of someone else, a possible enough contingency, itcould easily be detected. In any case he perceived the necessityof bringing Prasad's complete ruin in the Rani's estimation to aspeedy issue, or a chance disclosure of his intrigue might engulf himhopelessly in the ditch, he had so well excavated for his rival.
He set spurs to his horse and rode quickly to the astrologer's house.
A prolonged conversation with Mohurran Goshi apparently satisfiedAhmad that he had nothing to fear from the duplicity of that craftypersonage. He handed the astrologer a well filled purse as the besttonic to stimulate his continued fidelity.
"Thou wilt call, then, to see thy patient later in the day, learnedAstrologer," Ahmad remarked, as he prepared to turn his face homeward.
"At thy command, noble Lord," acquiesced the astrologer submissively.
"It is well," exclaimed Ahmad. "I warrant thou wilt find him in anexcellent humor for thy purpose."
Ahmad tested the speed of his horse until he approached within a shortdistance of the compound surrounding his dwelling. Then he slackenedhis pace and assumed an air of grave dejection.
"Good Prasad must believe that the heart of Ahmad Khan goes out to himin sympathy," he soliloquized, "while the disclosure of the Rani'sfaithlessness is drawn forth unwillingly from his friendly lips."
Prasad awaited the Mohammedan's return in a state of feverish anxiety.He remarked Ahmad's gloomy visage immediately.
"Thou art the bearer of ill news, O Ahmad," he exclaimed, ere the usualgreetings had been exchanged.
"Alas"! returned the other. "My countenance doubtless reflects thesadness of my heart."
"Speak," enjoined Prasad. "Tell me the worst thou knowest, for I feelassured it hath to deal with my unlucky case."
"The worst may be told quickly enough, good friend," replied Ahmad."Yet, I would that thou urgest me not to such an unpleasant office. Letus discuss other matters, and leave the disagreeable topic to a laterhour."
Prasad waved his hand impatiently.
"Tell me quickly," he cried. "Bad news is like decaying fruit. Itbecomes the more rotten with the keeping. Did the Rani refuse tohearken to my request"?
"Aye, she did even more than that," came the reply. "She refused tohave thy name mentioned in her presence."
"So"! ejaculated Prasad. "What else hast thou to tell, my emissary"?
"Why, good Prasad, as I hold thy interest at heart it pains me deeplyto speak thus, but it doth seem the Rani hath cast herself body andsoul into the arms of this new favorite, Dost Ali. Her actions havebecome the scandal of the court."
Prasad raised himself upon his elbow. His brow contracted and his eyesflashed threateningly.
"Tell me more," he hoarsely muttered.
"In truth, there is little more to tell," rejoined Ahmad, "except, thatshe rides, walks, and feasts with him, and, the court gossip saith,yields somewhat more besides. As for me, my business over, she excusedmy presence speedily. I would have kept this from thee, but rumor wouldsurely have broken through my desire."
Prasad rose and paced back and forth in ominous silence. Suddenly heturned and spoke vehemently.
"Ahmad, sick or well, I vow I will not be supplanted by this Dost Ali.Immediately will I go to the palace. Toward the Rani I mean no harm,but with her lover, I will find an excuse to bring this matter to anend between us. Either Prasad Singh or Dost Ali shall fall into thedust."
Ahmad laid a restraining hand upon the Hindu noble's shoulder.
"Prasad," he enjoined, "thou canst not do this."
"Why should I not"? the other asked tersely.
"Because there must be no strife within the Rani's palace. It would bean act against her pleasure, her authority. Deeply do I sympathize withthee, O Prasad, but I cannot countenance thy project."
Prasad returned his host's gaze with astonishment.
"Then, in heaven's name, what wouldst thou have me do"? he demanded."Lie here like some decrepit hunter while another goes off with thequarry. Not I forsooth"!
"Come, good friend, curb thy ambition, passion, and impetuosity for aseason. Await with patience the fitting opportunity for achieving all,without resort to violent means, that would implacably offend the Rani.Thou, must remember her palace is not a camp, a field of arms."
"Oh"! exclaimed Prasad sarcastically. "These are indeed strange wordsfrom Ahmad Khan. Is it so long ago that he and his followers swept intoher palace little heeding her authority. Truly that scene resembled anassault."
Ahmad winced at the retort but managed to preserve his equanimity. Hereplied in a contrite tone.
"It is even as thou sayest, but the hour was full of tumult. If myaction seemed wanting in respect for the Rani's dignity, surely I havemade the amends I swore upon the holy book."
Prasad laughed cynically.
"Loyal Ahmad," he cried. "I see not very well how thou canst prevent mesettling with this Dost Ali."
"What I will prevent," the Mohammedan answered, as if conscious of avirtuous motive, "is the hasty action of a friend leading him on tocertain ruin, aye, even if I surround the house with soldiers and holdhim as a prisoner. Prasad, the Rani in her present temper would neverforgive thee. Thou must, nay thou shalt have patience, for thine owninterest. Even if thou dost curse thy friend now, he knows thou wiltpresently call down blessings on his head."
The two regarded each other fixedly. On Ahmad's face, entreaty thatgave place to determination. Prasad's countenance, a display ofconflicting emotions.
"Come," re
sumed Ahmad soothingly. "Subdue thy resentment. I tell theethy trouble will pass over, and thou wilt find thyself high in favorwith the Rani. In the meantime enjoy thy enforced absence from hercourt as becomes a noble of high spirit. Drink of the Foreigner'sspirits, and," he added in a lower tone, "if thou wilt, of the charmsof the fair Ganga. There are hundreds who would envy thy presentopportunity."
"A curse upon all this mischief," Prasad returned impatiently.
"Hath not the learned astrologer told thee all will come well"? askedthe Mohammedan reassuringly.
"A curse upon him, too," added Prasad. "If he observed a little morecarefully events passing on the earth instead of keeping his gaze fixedupon the heavens, he would be able to prophesy more surely. The fool!Were I the Raja of Jhansi, I would soon find a means to make him lamenthis fate, for having disclosed such a budget of nonsense."
"Thou knowest that as a follower of the only true Prophet," repliedAhmad. "I set little store upon his trade as an astrologer; but as aphysician, he hath a reputation whereby he is sought by the greatestnobles and princes."
"I care not for him or his reputation," returned Prasad sullenly. "Tome, it seems, as if all men, aye and all women, are leagued againstme."
"That is because thou art sick. Wait a day or two and thou wilt seethings more reasonably. Because for the moment the flower thou longestto possess lies a little beyond thy reach, content thyself with othersthat are near to hand. Now I go to the cantonments to inspect thetroops. When I return we will together discuss a means of getting ridof this Dost Ali without offending against the susceptibilities of theRani; for in that, upon the oath that I have made, I can take no part."
With a further profession of his unalterable friendship, Ahmad departedto his military duties.
He had gone but an hour or so, a period consumed by Prasad in bitterreflections and vows of revenge upon his supposed rival, when thebullock cart of the astrologer again rumbled and creaked its slowprogress to the Mohammedan's door.
Prasad received him in illhumored silence.
The astrologer-physician nevertheless methodically proceeded to unpackhis bag, and to an examination of his patient.
As before, he gravely felt Prasad's pulse, observed his tongue, andthen expressed himself as being highly satisfied with the sick man'simproved condition.
"I had purposed advising thee to take a bath of oil," said he, "but Ifind it will be unnecessary."
"Truly thou art a wise physician," remarked Prasad sarcastically. "Tellme now, I beg, how the heavens look this evening for the attainment ofmy wishes"?
The astrologer scrutinized his calendar for a space, then replied in asatisfied tone.
"All goes well, noble sir. The moment of triumph over thine enemy drawsnigh. She whom thou lovest will fly to thy arms speedily."
"Now of all the nonsense uttered by man, thou art talking theuttermost," replied Prasad in angry accents. "Dost know, learnedAstrologer, that only this morning, after all that gibberish of thineyesterday, I heard the worst news possible"?
The astrologer instead of displaying offense at such a disparagingsummary of his ability, appeared to expect the news.
"Noble sir," he argued in response. "That is as I anticipated. It oftenhappens that a clearing sky is preceded by a thunderstorm. If thou wiltbut hold thy patience for two days, then the moment for a determinedaction will have come."
"How do you mean"? asked Prasad doubtfully.
"Noble Lord," continued the astrologer in a confidential manner. "FirstI must have thy assurance that thou wilt not disclose a word of what Iam about to unfold to thy illustrious host, Ahmad Khan.
"In truth he is thy friend, but in the enterprise which it will be wellfor thee to undertake, he will render thee no assistance, on account ofa certain oath he has taken."
Prasad appeared to resume an interest in the astrologer's words.
"Proceed quickly," he urged. "Thou hast my promise."
"Then great sir," continued the astrologer. "Be pleased to know, thatthe fair one with whom thou art enamored, lies under the influence ofone from whom she would gladly be delivered. If thou wert to repair toher side accompanied by a few trustworthy followers, at a favorablehour, she would hail thy appearance with joy, and thou couldst subduethine enemy with ease."
"Come, learned Astrologer," interposed Prasad, his humor brighteningperceptibly. "Now I realize thou art a man of action, and consequentlya man of sense. Speak more plainly how thou wouldst advise. Be assuredthou wilt be rewarded relatively with my success."
"Little further is there to say, noble Singh," returned the astrologer"except that the signs in the heavens declare midnight two days fromhence to be the auspicious moment."
Prasad thought deeply for some minutes. At last he again spoke:
"Secluded here as I am, sage Doctor, it would be difficult for me toarrange the plan of action. I would that you suggest one for me."
The astrologer glanced round suspiciously as if to note that they werenot overheard.
"That is an easy matter, noble Lord," he replied. "If thou wilt keepin mind my injunction not to breathe a word of it to Ahmad Khan, andrepair to the tomb of Firoz Khan, nigh the temple of Siva, overlookingthe lake at one hour before midnight, I will arrange to have two orthree good fellows to meet thee there. A greater number would arousesuspicion at the gate, but for thy purpose they will be sufficient. Thepalace will be asleep, and thine enemy taken off his guard."
"Thou seemest to know well the secrets of this affair, learnedAstrologer," remarked Prasad.
"Such is my profession, noble sir," replied Mohurran Goshi, with a noteof pride in his voice.
Prasad again buried himself in thought before he spoke.
"Yes, learned Doctor," he rejoined finally. "If thou art sure thoucanst aid me in the way suggested, I have more than made up my mind tofollow thy counsel."
A momentary flicker of satisfaction crossed the astrologer's craftyface.
"As certain, noble sir," he replied emphatically, "as that the sand inthe hour glass of thine enemy's fortune hath all but emptied itselfinto the lower vessel."
"Then I will be there," decided Prasad, "at the appointed place andhour."
"Good, noble Lord," exclaimed the astrologer. "Be assured I, too, willkeep my part of the agreement. Hast thou taken the medicinal pillsregularly"? he asked with professional concern.
"To the devil with all pills and ointments," retorted Prasad. "Mystomach yearns for other diet."
"Nevertheless, sir," enjoined the astrologer in his character ofphysician. "They possess among other virtues that of stimulating theheart with courage."
"I want no such stimulants," retorted Prasad. "An enchanting form everpresent in my mind is stimulant enough for any act requiring courage.If they would only assist me in controlling my impatience for the hourto come, then I might regard them as of some benefit."
"That they will also do, noble sir," asserted the astrologer. "Theirextraordinary value lies in the fact that they are beneficial for anybodily or mental ailment."
"Then they must be as remarkable in virtue as they are in price,"returned Prasad tersely.
He took a jewel from his turban and handed it to the astrologer.
"This," said he, "is but a small portion of the reward I will bestowupon thee, if thy plan turns out as well as it promises."
The astrologer expressed his gratitude in effusive terms.
"But be careful that not even the walls shall hear of it"? he enjoined.
"Fear not," replied Prasad. "At an hour before midnight I will be atthe tomb of Firoz Khan on the day after to-morrow. See to it that themen are awaiting me."
"Without fail, noble sir," reasserted the astrologer.
He solemnly called down a thousand benedictions upon Prasad's head,_salaamed_, and with an air of profound mystery, retired to seek hisbullock cart.
"Now," ejaculated Prasad triumphantly. "We will see how this DostAli can be brought to an accounting in spite of Ahmad's qualms ofconscience."
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He called for a goblet of the Foreigners' wine, and drank with evidentappreciation of its quality.