Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/175

 "Abul Fazel," said the Emperor, turning to him with a gracious countenance, "much we owe to your guidance in the work of my life, and to your pen for a faithful record of our work. But we claim your help in other matters at present. The conduct of my eldest born fills my heart with anxiety and grief."

"Your Majesty," said Raja Man Singh, "appointed Prince Selim as Governor of Ajmir when you went to the South, and I came from Bengal to lend him my humble aid. Sorry I was that disasters in Bengal called me back to that Province and I had to leave the Prince alone. But Bengal has now been reconquered, and the Afghans will not stir again after the lesson they have learnt. If it be your Majesty's wish I will go now and join the Prince and complete the conquest of the last Rajput State which still holds out."

"Worthy work for a Rajput!" muttered the gallant Prithwi Raj to himself.

Raja Man Singh pretended not to hear that gay Troubadour Prince, but a dark flush on his face indicated that his ear had caught his words.

"No, Raja Man Singh, I will not take you away from Bengal again. You have ruled that fair Province well and wisely for ten years and more, and you will rule there as long as I am alive. Nor is the war with Mewar now uppermost in my thoughts; it is for my son Selim that I am anxious. The Prince gave up all thoughts of Mewar when you returned to Bengal, and hastened to Agra to capture the fort and seat himself on the throne. Foolish Prince! he thinks not that this Empire is a trust from the Most High, and that the sacred trust will descend to him