Lo! he is
worse than parricide, for he would kill that for which his father gave
his life."
Now this appeal was a very strong one; for the story of how Babar the
Brave gave up his own life to save that of his darling son, Humayon, is
one of the most touching tales in Indian history, and none of Babar's
immediate family could even think of it without strong emotion. So it
was Kumran's turn to grow pale.
"August lady," he replied, evading her question, "this is a matter of
policy with which women have naught to do. King Humayon hath taken
Kandahar, he hath imprisoned and degraded his brother Askurry, and for
this, I, Kumran, challenge him!"
"And wherefore?" asked Dearest-Lady boldly. "Did not Askurry deserve it?
Nay! did he not deserve death? Did he not steal the King-of-Empire? Did
he not defy the king? Did he not send the Heir-to-Empire away, instead
of returning him to his father's keeping? I tell you, nephew Kumran,
that your father, Babar the Brave, Babar the Kindly, Babar the Generous,
Babar the Just, whom all men loved for his mercy, would have given
_death_ for such faults--and given it rightly. And will you, like a
fool, court death also?" She looked round the assembly to see many a
sullen, suspicious face, and understood that danger lay close at hand.
So her resolution was taken in a moment. "See you!" she went on,
"nothing has been done yet to make forgiveness impossible.
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