Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of India Page 10

  Chapter IX

  _AT THE HOUSE OF AHMAD KHAN_

  The house of Ahmad Khan, with numerous out-buildings, was situatedin a large compound, pleasantly shaded by willows, and overlookingthe placid waters of the lake that stretched over a wide expanseto the eastward of the city. Both externally and internally itsatmosphere suggested the impression that the owner was not averse to acomfortable, even a luxurious retreat after the hardships and dangersof his military exploits.

  If the stables filled with high-bred chargers, the walls decoratedwith a splendid collection of trophies, and the large retinue of armedservants unmistakably emphasized the profession of Ahmad Khan; theshaded halls, luxurious divans, and the soft rugs woven in rich coloredarabesque patterns, told that he possessed other tastes than thosepertaining to the field of battle.

  To Prasad he remarked these evidences of another life apologetically.

  "For Ahmad Khan, O Prasad," he said, "the step of a mosque, or the bareground for a sleeping place is enough; a bowl of rice and a cup of thecoffee he has learned to drink in foreign lands sufficient provender;but for those who honor his roof with their presence, he is bound bythe law of Islam to provide more generous entertainment."

  "Truly," returned Prasad, as his eyes wandered over the handsomefurnishings of the house. "Truly if thou keepest all these thingssolely for the benefit of thy guests, thou must indeed be a prince ofhospitality."

  Ahmad consigned his friend to the care of a skillful barber, who, foran hour previous to the evening meal, deftly shaved, perfumed, andassisted in attiring the Hindu noble's person in garments befitting oneto whom the Lord of the House desired to extend the greatest honor.

  In order to avoid the least semblance of offense to his guest'ssusceptibilities, Ahmad had ordered the dishes of the repast to beprepared separately, those from which Prasad was to partake beingcooked by a Brahman. For a similar reason water was served by one ofthat caste.

  The meal was sumptuous, both in the display of gold and silver plate,and in the long succession of courses spiced to tempt the palate of anOriental epicure.

  Prasad's ill humor was plainly marked in his meagre appetite. Savorydishes, of which he would, under ordinary circumstances, have partakenwith avidity, he barely tasted. Others, he let pass without eveninserting his fingers to test their quality.

  "Come," cried Ahmad, at the conclusion of the banquet, "thou shalt nowdrink of the choicest of the _Giours'_ spirits. I warrant that afterthe first cup thy peace of mind will be restored. Thou wilt forget pastdisappointments in the happiness of the present."

  Wine for Prasad's benefit, and coffee for the Mohammedan were thenserved. _Hookahs_ were set before them and lit by obsequious servants.

  Prasad cast restraint to the winds and drank deeply, while hiscompanion watched him craftily, encouraging his libations. But theinsidious spirits of the Foreigners, looted from their bungalows, onlyserved to intensify his dejection.

  "Accursed life," he muttered. "What am I, that I should submit sotamely to the fickle humor of the Rani"?

  "Patience, good friend, a little patience," returned Ahmad assuagingly,yet with an added sting.

  "Dost Ali is but a passing fancy. Forget him in the pleasure ofthe moment. Drink, and thou wilt surely feel a new man before the_Mollah's_ voice at sunrise, calls the Faithful to their devotions."

  He raised his hand as a signal to an attendant, a heavy curtain wasdrawn back and a group of musicians, accompanied by dancing girlsarrayed in yards upon yards of silken drapery, entered the apartment.They advanced to the divan upon which the two nobles sat languidlydrawing from their _hookahs_ and _salaamed_ deferentially. Themusicians then seated themselves in a half circle in front of thedivan, while the girls awaited the first bars from the instruments.Presently an inspiring air rose in the chamber, the girls assumedindividual poses, and the _natch_ commenced.

  Their graceful actions, glancing steps, and sensuous attitudes,frequently called forth words of praise from the Mohammedan; butPrasad's gloomy thoughts remained unconquered.

  "Surely thou art hard to please," remarked Ahmad, as the girls retiredfor a brief rest.

  "Thou knowest the distemper of my mind," replied the other sullenly.

  "Aye, but wait," exclaimed Ahmad. "The jewel that shall bring fire intothine eyes hath not yet appeared."

  He again gave a signal. The curtain was once more withdrawn. Upon thepolished surface of a slab of ebony, uplifted upon the shoulders of sixstalwart _harkars_, Ganga, the star of _natch_ girls, was borne intothe room.

  For a moment, even Prasad's gaze rested approvingly upon the seductiveform of the famous dancer. Her supple figure, attired in elaboratelyembroidered shawls, and colored silken skirts, artistically disclosed,one beneath another, was displayed with an effect well chosen tocaptivate those whom it was her profession to enthrall. Flowers adornedher hair. Her neck, arms, and ankles were ornamented with jeweledtrinkets.

  Upon the _harkars_ halting before the divan, she raised her arms aboveher head, and assumed a graceful pose. In a low, fascinating tone, shecommenced a dreamy song of love. Presently her feet caught the rhythmof the music, and to the accompaniment of tiny silver bells attached tothe bangles on her wrists and ankles, she portrayed by her actions, inturn, the passions of love, hope, jealousy and despair.

  From time to time Ahmad uttered exclamations of satisfaction. Prasad,in spite of himself seemed to be fascinated by her charm.

  "Didst thou mark that languorous glance she cast onthee"?--Page 105.]

  Ahmad quickly noticed his guest's brightening humor.

  "What did I tell thee," he whispered insinuatingly. "Miserable indeedwould be the man whose soul was insensible to the eyes of such a one.Didst thou mark that languorous glance she cast on thee"?

  Prasad sighed heavily.

  "I grant you," he replied, "with but one exception, she hath amatchless form. At any other time she might have made a fairimpression. Now, chains bind my soul about a thankless vision."

  The girl finished her part by lightly springing from her elevatedposition, and prostrating herself before the nobles.

  Ahmad took from his waistband a handful of gold coins and tossed themto the girl.

  "Take them, O Ganga," he cried. "By _Allah_! Thou hast almost performeda miracle. Thou hast found favor in the eye of the inconsolable."

  A slight note of sarcasm marked the Mohammedan's concluding sentence.

  Far into the night the two nobles watched the repeated efforts of thedancing girls, stimulated by cups of wine, to outdo their previousdisplays of art. But after the first surprise on beholding Ganga'scharms, Prasad relapsed within his cloud of dejection.

  At last, the early shafts of dawn penetrated the reed blinds andmingled their light with that of the silver lamps suspended from theroof; a warning that the moment of sunrise was at hand. Twittering ofawakened birds, and the voices of men and beasts proclaimed for themultitude the passing of the hour from rest to labor.

  Prasad rose wearily from his recumbent position.

  "Ahmad," he exclaimed. "In truth, I feel as if I may be sick. Perchancethou wilt not be obliged to resort to subterfuge in my behalf."

  Ahmad turned a penetrating look toward his guest.

  "Thou wilt not attend the ceremony of to-day"? he asked.

  "As thou advisest," returned the other. "Do what thou thinkest bestfor me. I am sick with love, with jealousy, with I know not what, foryonder Rani."

  He turned and slowly made his way toward one of the exits from the room.

  Ahmad also rose to a standing posture.

  From the balcony of a minaret near by, the voice of a _Mollah_resounded through the clear atmosphere.

  "There is but one God and Mohammed is the Prophet of God."

  Ahmad strode from the room to a porch facing the west. He knelt andreverentially bowed his forehead to the pavement.

  "Thanks be to God," he murmured devoutly, "for the countenance Heturneth toward His servant."

  Then he uplifted
his face to the brightening heavens. He stretchedforth his arms above his head, as he cried in a deep, sonorous voice:

  _"Allah! Allah! Allah"!_