“No favour, my friend,” interrupted Abú-l Fazl, “but a wise choice, I hope. We do not consider it needful to give all appointments to our own noblemen, but hold them out also as prizes to the native nobility of countries that are allied with us. And you know that our Rajputs would see with displeasure their commanders chosen from any but their own countrymen. And what could give me greater pleasure than to call the son of an old and tried friend to a post that his father wished to see him fill!”
“Nevertheless, my lord,” said Siddha, as the Minister finished, “allow me to look upon it as a favour, and to thank you most heartily both for my father and for myself, and I hope to prove myself not unworthy of your goodness.”
“Above all, be faithful,” said Abú-l Fazl, gravely. “Perhaps this recommendation appears needless to you; but when you have been here longer you will discover that treachery lurks in every corner, and even the best may sometimes be led away and become faithless. To-morrow, meantime, your commander will give you the necessary instructions for your service, and he will warn you to be careful with your Rajputs, for you know that many of them, although their position is lowly, are noble as you yourself, and you cannot treat them as though they were common soldiers. Now, doubtless, you wish to see more of the city than you have yet done, and I will not keep you. But wait a moment,” he continued, as Siddha rose to take his leave; “a guide would be welcome to you, and I think I can give you a good one.” Clapping his hands, he asked the servant who appeared, “Is my nephew Parviz in the house?”
“I have just seen him in the courtyard,” answered the servant.
“Say that I wish to see him.”
In a few minutes a young man appeared, of about Siddha’s age, richly dressed, and with ornaments of pearls and jewels. His face was pleasing, but, in spite of a black moustache, somewhat feminine.
“Parviz,” said Abú-l Fazl, “you see here our two visitors from Kashmir, of whose coming I spoke to you; the noble Siddha I hope you will soon call your friend; and now will you serve him as guide, for this is his first visit to our city?”
“Willingly, uncle,” answered Parviz, as he greeted Siddha with friendliness; “it will be as much a pleasure as an honour.”
“Then go,” said the Minister; “Kulluka will perhaps remain a little longer with me, to talk over the affairs of Kashmir. But, gentlemen,” said he, more to Siddha than to the Brahman, “do not forget to visit my brother Faizi to-day; he might take it amiss if you put off doing so until to-morrow, although he would not grudge me the preference.” And making them a friendly sign of farewell, the two young men left the palace together.
“Come,” said Parviz, “luckily it is not so very hot, and we can go at once to see—what to our visitors to Agra is the greatest of all the sights—the Palace of the Emperor—that is if the walk is not too far for you, after your long ride of this morning.”