The Slave Girl of Agra/Book 1/Chapter 4
IV. A DARK SCHEMER
Far away from the stately Zemindari Mansion, and situated in a secluded part of the town, was Gokul Das's humble residence. He went thence to the Zemindari House every morning after an early meal, and passed the whole day there, superintending the business of the estate. Late in the evening, and sometimes after the lamps had been lighted in the Bazaar, the weary worker returned home on foot, as he went to office. He affected extreme humility, and only a few retainers, secretly armed, attended him on his way to the office and back. And thus the man who issued orders to every agent and received information from every spy, and who was the virtual master of the vast estates of Birnagar and Debipur, lived in a humble mud house thatched with rice straw and surrounded by a common fence.
There was a brick-built room in the outer courtyard, where Gokul Das received visitors, and occasionally held consultations on the affairs of the estate. Behind the courtyard were the inner apartments, a large hut serving as bedroom, two or three smaller huts, and a humble shed for cooking, all so arranged as to enclose the inner quadrangle. And behind this quadrangle again lay some waste land with a few fruit trees, but mostly covered with jungle. This was, and still is, the type of Hindu houses, both among the rich and among the poor, in towns as well as in villages, and the outer and the inner quadrangles help the ventilation of rooms, so essential in the hot climate of India.
Gokul Das was a widower and had only one boy. Most men of his position would have married again, but Gokul Das's soul was in the aggrandisement of Debipur House, and, to do the faithful servant justice, he had no thought and no ambition apart from it. Some poor relations cooked his meals and looked after his comforts, and found shelter and food in his house according to the kindly custom of the East. The outer brick-built room was his own; none ventured to enter there, none molested him in the hours he spent there with his papers or with his informers.
To-night an oil lamp was burning in that room, and two men sat there. Their faces in the dim light of the lamp would have been a study for painters.
Nobo Kumar had long passed his fiftieth year, but there was not a grey hair on his head. His strong face still glowed with the fire of youth, and his penetrating eyes showed the determination of a man. His frame was still strong and robust, and his hard-set features indicated dark passions. Nobo Kumar had come to consult Gokul Das in his own house at midnight, because the Zemindari House was too crowded for secret conference.
The face of Gokul Das was a contrast to that of his master. He was about the same age, but looked ten years older, and almost decrepit with age. His wrinkled face was an enigma, it never changed, and never betrayed the thoughts that lay deep within him. His eyes were small, and his hair was grey. He showed a studied respect to his visitor, met his master's vehemence with calmness, and his well-considered words fell one by one as hammer strokes. A careful observer might have noticed that the decrepit Gokul Das, speaking with humility and respect, was the real dictator, and that the impulsive Nobo Kumar was dragged along the path marked out by the iron hand of his servant bent with age.
"We are alone here, I suppose?" asked Nobo Kumar, breaking a long silence.
"All my people have gone to the village to join the Spring Festival, the outer gate has been locked by me."
"Thou knowest the latest news, Gokul Das?"
"You are better informed, my Master, and I would fain learn the news from your lips."
"The determined Afghans are as powerful as ever in the south. Rajah Man Singh once went to Jehanabad to repel them, but found them more than a match for him. They surprised Man Singh's son, and took him prisoner."
"That was two years ago."
"Since then the Afghans have released the Raja's son, and have been left in peaceful possession of Orissa. They acknowledge the Emperor Akbar nominally, but are virtual masters of Orissa, as the Moguls are masters of Bengal."
"The peace will not last long, my Master."
"But I don't see what Raja Man Singh can do further. He dares not show his face in Orissa."
"Raja Man Singh dares much."
"I see, the honours he bestowed on thee recently have made thee his partisan!" said Nobo Kumar, with a smile.
"The highest honour I know of," calmly replied Gokul Das, "is to be reckoned a faithful servant of the Debipur House as my fathers have been."
"I know that, my faithful friend, and shall never forget it. But, tell me what thou thinkest of Raja Man Singh."
"The Emperor Akbar has not an abler General than Raja Man Singh, but the Raja is more than that. He is as deep in counsel as he is able in war."
"And what follows?"
"It follows that he will wrest Orissa from the Afghans yet."
"But he has made peace, leaving Orissa to the Afghans."
"Yes, to make his preparations."
"And will he, a Rajput, break his word?"
"There will be no need. The insolent Afghans will give him cause."
"From what source, my friend, dost thou learn that?"
"From the latest despatch from our secret agent in Raja Man Singh's Court. I waited for a suitable time to report its contents to my Master."
Gokul Das rose and turned the lock of a secret door in the room which was coloured like the wall, and seemed a part of the wall. The door turned, and disclosed a huge iron safe worked into the brickwork of the wall. He opened the safe, brought out a packet, and laid it before Nobo Kumar.
Nobo Kumar read the paper slowly and attentively in the dim light of the oil lamp, and then laid it down.
"Why, this is serious news," he said. "The Afghans have plundered the sacred temple of Jagannath!"
"And Man Singh is a Hindu and a Rajput."
"He will not forgive this offence against the Hindu religion."
"He is already marching down with his army to Orissa, silently and rapidly."
"And whether the Raja wins or loses, there will be a sanguinary battle very shortly."
"There will be a sanguinary battle, but Rajah Man Singh seldom loses."
"Then you think the Raja will conquer Orissa this time, and finally annex it to Akbar's great Empire?"
"My Master has judged rightly; and that will keep the Raja in Orissa for a while."
"Why, that upsets all our plans."
"That just helps our plans, and hastens our success."
"Speak more plainly, thou mysterious man, for I follow thee not. Wert thou not preparing a petition to Raja Man Singh for my early restoration to Debipur? And dost thou think the Raja will trouble himself with such paltry matters when the grim Rajput smells war and conquest far off?"
"When the Raja is far off his Kanangoe has the power to pass orders in all matters concerning estates."
"And dost thou think the Kanangoe will incline in our favour?"
"His office has touched gold from my Master's treasury."
Nobo Kumar started at this new disclosure of Gokul Das's doings. Not a muscle moved in Gokul Das's face.
"Dark schemer, dost thou think the Kanangoe, even with the help of our gold, will dare to upset the arrangements which Raja Todar Mull made and Raja Man Singh confirmed?"
"The Kanangoe will have ample cause for changing the existing arrangement. There will be serious disturbances in Birnagar and Debipur; the payment of the revenue due to the Emperor from the two estates will fall into arrear, and some new arrangement will be required to ensure the revenue."
"And to ensure the payment of the Imperial revenue it will be necessary to restore me to Debipur, and to leave Birnagar to its minor heir and his friends."
"It will be necessary to restore my Master to Debipur immediately, but not to leave Birnagar to its heir."
"Thou speakest in riddles, Gokul Das. Be plain for once. What will become of Birnagar?"
"An Imperial Agent will be appointed to manage it till Noren comes of age, and even then he shall not get his estate until the estate has paid up all arrears."
"Which will occur shortly, because Birnagar is rich."
"It will never occur."
"Why?"
"Because Gokul Das may have some influence with the Imperial Agent."
"To keep the revenue of Birnagar in arrear?"
"To keep the revenue of Birnagar in arrear."
"And what follows?"
"If Birnagar is hopelessly in arrear it may in some future year be sold for such arrears, and the Chief of Debipur may happen to be the purchaser. Such events have taken place before now."
"Thou takest my breath away by thy disclosures, friend! But wait a moment. The Kanangoe might punish me for disturbances arising during my administration, and appoint an Imperial Agent to manage both the estates."
"The Kanangoe's decision has been made. I visited him last week to some purpose."
Nobo Kumar was struck dumb by the cool daring of his servant.
"I have been bold and rash in my time," he said, and I am not naturally a timid man, but thy scheme fairly staggers me!"
"My scheme is my Master's scheme—to see him seated on the Guddee of Debipur, to see Birnagar eventually annexed to Debipur."
"But my august lady," spoke Nobo Kumar, "has a more innocent scheme to unite the two estates. It is a woman's scheme, but maybe it is safe!"
"Her scheme is worthy of her ladyship's benevolent heart," said Gokul Das, but scarcely falls in with a man's sterner purpose."
A shade of anger clouded Nobo Kumar's brow. Even family secrets were no secrets from this deep-browed servant. Gokul Das judged his master's feelings, and added calmly:
"Her ladyship trusts your servant as you trust him. She knows him to be faithful to the House which he has served these forty years."
"And if thou knowest my wife's scheme of uniting the houses of Birnagar and Debipur, what doest thou think of it?"
"It is an idea worthy of the righteous heart that has conceived it. A more pious lady than my mistress does not breathe on earth. She is a Sita incarnate, and, like Sita, she would give away a kingdom to retire with her husband into forests."
The veiled sarcasm of the concluding remark did not miss its mark.
"And dost thou think to wed my daughter to Noren would be to hand over my estate to him and to retire from the world as a mendicant?"
"My Master can judge best. I am only an instrument in his hands; he alone is the custodian of the fortunes of his ancestral house."
"The plan of my wife is a woman's plan, but it is worth consideration, Gokul Das."
"Women are good judges, my Master, in matters of sentiment, and her ladyship, your wife, sees into young Noren's heart with unerring wisdom. But man has deeper passions and ambitions, and the smile of a pretty face will not move him from the serious purposes of life. Noren is his father's son, the warm blood of his grandfather stirs in his veins."
"Noren, my wife says, has a deep liking for Hemlata, and would willingly come with us to Debipur. He would be as a son and heir of the house of Debipur to win the hand of my daughter!"
"Young Chiefs of Birnagar, as loving as Noren, have ere now wedded girls of the Debipur House, but have not foresworn their own. Lords of Debipur, more ardent than Noren, have won their brides from Birnagar, but have not forgotten the traditions of their fathers' House."
"Ay, but the heir and heiress of the two estates have never been united before. Their union, my wife thinks, means the union of two hostile estates for ever."
"Would to heaven that the pious wishes of that high-souled lady could be fulfilled! But the jealousies of three hundred years do not die in a day, and the inherited hatreds of two almost royal Houses are not extinguished in a festive night."
"Why not? Such events have happened before now."
"Judge by your man's heart, my Master, you of noble descent can judge these things better than a humble man like me. Would you, at your wife's request—and she does trace her descent from Birnagar ancestors—would you, even for that best and noblest of women, foreswear your ancient House, deny your ancestors, and be a successor of those whom your fathers have fought these three hundred years?"
"Never, as long as I can collect a hundred retainers to defend my father's House! Never, as long as I have a drop of blood to shed to defend my father's gate!"
"And do you think, my Master, that Noren, when he grows up to be a man, will feel less like a man? He is a foolish lad now, and hangs on the skirts of your little girl as a spaniel follows his mistress. And yet, even at this age, I have seen his eyes sparkle and the blue veins start on his forehead at the mention of his grandfather's deeds. Trust me, my Master, that boy to whom Raja Todar Mull presented the sword of Birnagar will never forget his House. Your lady's loving devices will only hand over your father's estate to Birnagar, whence she herself traces her descent. Debipur will be extinguished for ever!"
A long pause ensued, and Nobo Kumar was sunk in his own thoughts. He raised his eyes at last, and spoke like a man gasping for breath.
"Thou art right, terribly right, Gokul Das. Thy insight is clear if thy scheme be that of the Devil himself. Blood has flowed between the two Houses before now, and that red stream can never be crossed. I had always misgivings about my wife's scheme, for she, proud woman as she is, is but a Birnagar woman by descent."
Gokul Das saw that he had brought round his master to his scheme, even as a lion-tamer makes the lion learn the tricks he wishes to teach. Without the slightest trace of triumph in his face he spoke with deeper humility and respect.
"Little credit is due to me for insight in these matters, for I have learnt wisdom from my Master and only echo his sentiments. Debipur should descend to a son of Debipur—never to the heir of Birnagar. It is customary with great Houses, when no son and heir is born, to adopt a son; he performs religious offices like a son according to our ancient scriptures, and he inherits the estate like an heir under our ancient law. Choose a suitable boy for your son, my Master, and let Debipur descend to him when you are no more. But if my revered mistress is strongly opposed to part with her only daughter, if she desires dear Hemlata to be the heiress of Debipur, choose for her a Debipur youth of high descent who will uphold the glory of Debipur and defend its rights."
"Proceed, Gokul Das, for thou speakest sense, and I would hear more from thee. We shall have to go far, I ween, to find such a young man as thou speakest."
"You will find him in your own household, Master, if you seek for him. Sirish is an orphan who, with his widowed sister, Saibalini, has lately come from Debipur and found shelter with you. They are descended from a scion of your own House, and rank with Hemlata herself by birth, though they be but poor dependants. I have seen Sirish at village games, and mark my words, the pride of his ancestors dwells in his deep bosom and gleams in his eyes under a calm demeanour. And trust me Hemlata, though a playmate of Noren's from childhood, esteems this nobler youth secretly in her heart."
"I have watched Sirish too, my friend, and marked his patient perseverance, his secret determination, his robust frame. The other evening he and Noren fell out. Sirish lifted Noren from the ground and flung him on the sands in his anger, so I heard from Hemlata."
"So may he smite the heir of Birnagar when he weds your daughter and becomes the Lord of Debipur. So may he avenge the wrongs which Noren's grandfather inflicted on us!"
"Give me time to think, Gokul Das, for thou dost overwhelm me. Work thy peaceful schemes, but Nobo Kumar has manlier schemes in his head. Debipur shall never go unto the heir of Birnagar!"
Nobo Kumar was gone.
The lamp was burning low in Gokul Das's room, and the pale light of the morning, peeping through the closed doors, still found the decrepit old man absorbed in his thoughts.
"The foundation is well laid," said he to himself, "and if this hand has not lost its cunning the structure will be raised. Nobo Kumar's wife stands in the way, and she is a foe to be reckoned with. Imperious in her will as she is august in her virtues, she controls her impulsive husband with a determination which he can seldom resist. But she is a woman, and thinks more of the loves of pale-faced children than of the glory of great Houses. Nobo Kumar has the mettle of a man if he is true to himself and to his House, and to-night I have instilled in him a new purpose which will enable him to face his wife. Some scenes there will be in yonder Birnagar Palace which I would not like to witness, and Nobo Kumar may be frightened by a woman's tears yet and come to me again whimpering. If you forget your House, Nobo Kumar, there is one who never forgets. Gokul Das knows his purpose, and does not often turn away from his path."