Well!
I--Khanzada Khanum,--old as I am, will go forth to meet King Humayon and
plead thy cause. I will ask what boon you wish, and I promise it shall
be yours. Humayon will give much in exchange for his son, and none have
ever denied me anything. Shall it be so?" Then seeing hesitation she put
in a crafty word: "There will be time afterwards for--anything----"
Kumran looked round his nobles, then into his own heart. What he saw
there was such a tissue of lies and deceit that he could find no clear
decision; so, as usual, he temporised. "It is worth a trial," he
murmured. "I might ask for much."
"Ask for all and everything," said Dearest-Lady, who felt she had gained
her point; "I make but one condition. The child must remain unharmed
until I return."
Again Kumran hesitated. Again he looked in his own heart. Again he found
no clear cause for decision there; so he said doubtfully:
"Until you return?"
"Nay! swear it," came the high, insistent voice. "Say before them all,
'By the memory of my dear father no harm shall come to the child ere you
return.'"
Half unwillingly Kumran repeated the words and Dearest-Lady gave a sigh
of relief. She had gained her point. But now that she had to face the
consequences of her offer to go forth and meet Humayon her heart sank
within her; for she was very old and not over strong. The journey was
long; winter was coming on fast.
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