“With what else he is concerned I do not know; but some slight indications have caused me to warn your Majesty. If they are groundless, so much the better, but to be on one’s guard can in no case do harm.”
“And that I shall be. For the present, however, all rests on supposition and assumed possibility. We must neither judge nor act rashly; but be assured that nothing you have told me shall escape my closest inquiry. When we meet again the hour for action may have come. But before you go, I must tell you something that will be personally interesting to you—I have just seen and spoken with your pupil.”
“How, Siddha?” exclaimed Kulluka, with astonishment. “And who presented him to you?”
“No one,” answered Akbar; “I met him in the park, and guessing who he was, spoke to him. You know, occasionally I like thus to converse.”
“And did he not know that he spoke with the mighty Emperor?”
“Naturally not; nor did he guess it. Do not tell him; I will myself enlighten him one day. You want to know what I think of him? Well, then, I am content with him. He is a fine, honourable young man, in whom I can trust. Perhaps somewhat imprudent in what——”
“He has not said what was not fitting to the Emperor?”
“Well,” said Akbar, laughing, “if he had known to whom he was talking. But do not be disturbed. When I made him see that he spoke a little too freely he blamed himself in a manner that I could not but accept. Enough: I have said he pleased me, and you know that I am not wont to decide so favourably respecting those I see for the first time. Let him only take care that the first good impression continues. But now other affairs call me, and I will not detain you.”
With a respectful greeting, Kulluka left the apartment. Akbar looked after him with affection. A man so far separated by rank and station, religion and nationality, was yet bound to him both by respect and friendship, and by a faith that could not fail where he had once given his word.
“On him, at least, I can reckon,” said the Emperor to himself; “in him is no deceit.” And he was right; but how many stood far nearer to him, and of whom he could not say the same!