Page:Durgesa Nandini.djvu/190

 "Lads all—war—O I die of thirst!"

Aesha poured the sherbet into his mouth.

"'Tis no use—fighting—peace."

Katlu Khan stopped. Jagat Singha made no reply. The former remained fixing his gaze on the Prince's face, expectant of a reply. Not receiving any, he said with an effort,

"Refuse?"

"If the Pathans acknowledge the supremacy of the Emperor," the Prince said, "I can promise to try for peace."

"Orissa?"—said Katlu Khan in a half articulate voice.

"If my endeavours do not fail," returned the Prince, understanding him, "your sons will not be deprived of Orissa."

The features of Katlu Khan, which had been before writhing in the agonies of death, brightened up with joy. He said,

"You—free—God—good."

Jagat Singha was going away, when Aesha bent down her head, and said something to her father. Katlu Khan first looked at Khwaja Isa, and then at the departing Prince. Khwaja Isa said to the Prince,

"Perhaps the Nabab has something more to say."

The Prince returned.

"Your ear," said Katlu Khan.

The Prince understood. He drew closer to the dying person, and brought his ear near to the lips of Katlu Khan.

"Vira,"—said he still more indistinctly.

He paused a little, and then went on,

"Virendra Singha—O! I thirst!"

Aesha again poured the drink into his mouth.

"Virendra Singha's daughter"—