Legendary & romantic tales of Indian historyCaunter, Hobart
History
Legendary & romantic tales of Indian history
Caunter, Hobart
India -- History -- Fiction
The next day, Vuluvir was summoned to the imperial presence. “My
friend,” said the sovereign, “I know that the religion you profess is
one from which you derive little consolation, and to which none of
your tribe are bound by very strong attachments. It is my intention
to ennoble you, provided you consent to become one of the faithful;
and in your conversion I shall look for that of your family.” After a
conference of some length, the Pariah embraced the Emperor’s proposal;
and the next day was raised to the rank of Omrah, with a sum from
the treasury sufficient to support that dignity. His wife and Yhahil
became, likewise, converts to the new faith. The idea of being now
naturalised among a people who welcomed her and her parents as their
common kindred, poured a flood of joy upon Yhahil’s heart. She felt no
longer degraded, and began to soften in her indignation towards the man
who forced her from her home. He had, however, committed no violence.
She had been carried to a house engaged for the purpose of securing
her; but, when there, the noble only pressed his suit without offering
the slightest offence to her purity. She repelled his advances with
unqualified indignation; he treated her, nevertheless, with uniform
respect. The recollection of this disarmed her anger, and she besought
her father to solicit his release.
“My daughter,” said he, embracing her, “you have always found me ready
to meet every wish of your heart, but in the present instance I have
secret misgivings which deter me from compliance. To come at once to
the point, I fear the violence of that young noble.”
Yhahil smiled.--“His violence, my father, was not shown when I was in
his power, and I can forgive his rashness in his forbearance.”
“But, surely, the man who would forcibly tear a daughter from her
parent’s roof is to be feared.”
“I do believe--nay I am sure, that he loves me; and though he sought to
win me to a dishonourable intercourse while I was a Pariah, I think he
might no longer hesitate to wed me as an Omrah’s daughter. I love him,
father. He must be liberated for my sake. If we should ever meet in
future, it will be as honourable lovers, or as strangers, but I must no
longer be the cause of his captivity.”
“I will seek the Emperor and make known your wishes, but----”
“My father, listen to me: my mortal destiny has been traced. Before I
quitted our dwelling in the land of my birth, I sought the abode of
the jiggerkhar. Her revelations have been marvellously fulfilled--the
consummation only remains. She promised me wedded happiness, and I feel
I shall enjoy it.”
“Enough, my child, your desire shall be instantly accomplished;” and
the converted outcast was admitted without delay to the presence of
Humayoon.
“Well, Mahomed Chan,”--the name which had been bestowed upon the
newly-made Omrah,--asked the Monarch, “what seek you?”
“The release of your minister’s son. It is at my child’s solicitation
that I venture to ask this favour.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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