THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
watchful, for we are discussing secret affairs and will have no interruption."
Jamshid bowed and withdrew.
The interruption was fortunate for Norendra, as it had given him time to collect his thoughts, and he answered with composure.
"Thou hast heard the truth, Prince, and that I will not deny. But the Tartar slave in the palace was like an eagle in a barred cage, and pined for freedom rather than for love. She had broken the palace rules and wounded the chief eunuch, and her life was in danger. I helped her to escape as I would free a poor bird that I saw struggling in the net. And the great Queen Jodh Bai, who has many slaves, will pardon an act of kindness, mistaken if it be."
"The great Queen Jodh Bai hath granted her pardon already, and her commands reached me a few days ago. She bids me say to the erring slave, if I can find her, that she grants her freedom, for she was unhappy in bondage and longed for her Tartar home. But methinks, friend, the erring slave hath found a more congenial home than the bleak mountains of Tartary."
"Maybe, or may not be, Prince, if I may use thy own happy words."
"True, true, thou art free to keep thy secrets, as I can keep mine. But it is somewhat hard that I should pine in a lonely tent while my friend hath a ministering houri to cheer and console him. Thinkest thou not that, on a fine evening like this, and over this genial cup which thou hast provided, some sweet Tartar songs from a fair singer might be grateful to a banished and disconsolate poet?"
"All that is mine, Prince, is thine. But if thou speakest of the Tartar girl Jelekha, trust me she was
270
