Two weeks had passed since the events just narrated1, and peace seemed to have again settled over the isolated2 town of Mekran. Kasam remained at the palace, declaring himself a faithful adherent3 of Ahmed Khan, but although he had sent word to Zarig, the sirdar of Raab, who yet remained encamped with his warriors4 in the west valley, that peace was declared, the rebellious5 sirdar had refused to come into the city and make obeisance6 to Ahmed of Ugg.
All the Americans were now housed within the palace, and Aunt Lucy had come to revise and reconstruct her opinion of that whilom den7 of iniquity8, the harem. But Allison’s tragic9 death had sobered the good lady, as it had all of their little band, and checked for a time at least her garrulity10 and desire to criticise11. There was no doubt of Aunt Lucy’s democracy, yet it was amusing to note her pride in the fact that Janet was the wife of an Eastern potentate12 of the importance of Ahmed Khan. It would be a splendid tale to carry back to New York, and she had already decided13 to leave an envelope always carelessly lying upon her table addressed to “Her Imperial Majesty14 the Khanum of Mekran and Empress of Baluchistan.” It would serve to amuse visitors while she arranged her hair at the mirror before coming down.
Kasam’s wild passion for Janet had quickly evaporated with the news that she was wedded15 to Ahmed. The young prince was greatly subdued16 in spirit, and made no objections to Bessie’s kindly17 efforts to console him. His position in the palace was necessarily an uncomfortable one, for he held no clearly defined rank in the household and there was no gift within the power of the Khan that it would be dignified18 in him to accept. Reared from childhood with the ambition of sometime becoming the ruler of Mekran by virtue19 of his royal blood, it was naturally difficult for Kasam to realize that this brilliant dream was past and he must be content to abandon it forever.
So he wandered restlessly in the gardens, with Bessie by his side, and accompanied the girl on long rides through the pleasant valleys, and might have been as happy as in the old days had he allowed himself to forget his disappointment.
Meantime Salaman, the Grand Mufti of the realm, remained the chosen companion of the Khan, who, notwithstanding the deference20 he paid to his illustrious father, leaned more upon the aged21 priest than any other of his friends. And thus it was that one bright morning they walked together upon a high roof of the palace, where none might interrupt their earnest communion.
“I have thought well upon your words, my son,” said Salaman, “and examined critically your desires, striving honestly to quell22 my own inclination23 to oppose you. But I fear I cannot understand you wholly. What is there in this favored country—the land of your famous forefathers—that repels24 you, and inclines you to leave it?”
Ahmed paced up and down, thoughtfully weighing his words e’er he replied.
“It is, as you well say, my father, a land favored of Allah; yet the life here is the life of the lotus-eaters; or one of holy concentration; or even of idle dreams. Time............