Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/180

 All the counsellors approved of this design, all except Raja Man Singh, who maintained a sullen silence. But one or two stern and unbending Doctors of the Moslem religion approved not a peace with an infidel; ecclesiastics will speak when statesmen are silent.

"With you, venerable Doctors, I will have a further talk another day. In the meantime, who of you present here would wish to convey my condolence and message of peace to Amar Singh, son of Pratap Singh?"

Prithwi Raj stepped forward proudly before the Emperor and bowed. "Every Rajput Chief is proud to do honour, sire, to the House of Mewar, which is the highest in rank among us. And I shall consider it a privilege if your Majesty entrusts to me this message of peace to the son of Pratap Singh."

"Gallant Prince," said Akbar, "your request is granted. Rajasthan has produced no gifted bard, and Pratap Singh had no zealous admirer, equal to thee. My message, conveyed by you, will be doubly welcome to Pratap's son, and you can choose suitable officers from my Court to accompany you in this mission."

"If Raja Man Singh will permit I would choose his subordinate officer, Gajapati Singh, to be my companion. He is of the Royal House of Jodhpur, and allied to our Royal House of Bikanir. Gajapati Singh and I have been friends through life, let us be comrades in this mission."

"The services of my subordinates are my King's," said Man Singh, gruffly, "and if His Majesty selects Gajapati for this work I bow to his Imperial command. Gajapati has been a brave officer under me,