The Emperor, without any hesitation, answered:—
“You are modest, withal. The last time we met I discovered in you other qualities, whilst your words savored more of the battlefield than of the court.”
“I have not seen your Majesty before,” said Walter boldly, for he could in no wise guess what line Jahangir intended to take with him, and he was not prepared for this open allusion to the struggle at the gate of the Diwán’s garden.
The King’s face exhibited some amazement, as well it might. He significantly touched his right forearm, which was closely wrapped in black silk.
“My eyes and ears may have deceived me,” he cried, “but I have that here which bears witness against thee.”
“Your Majesty is good enough to allude to a slight dispute which involved Prince Jahangir and another. It did not concern me, and I was foolish to take part in it, but I maintain that had I encountered the Emperor on that occasion I would have behaved very differently.”
Dom Geronimo, who lost no word of the interview, seemed to be displeased by Mowbray’s adroit distinction between the occupant of the throne and a prince of the royal blood. He leaned over and whispered something, but Jahangir paid little heed to him.
“Then, you think a monarch should have no memory?” he asked, looking fixedly at Walter.
“Not so. He should remember his friends and forget his enemies.”