human
Blessed be the holy saints that he is safe! was the exclamation of Zyna, as she threw herself upon the lady's neck;
gpt
It was well done of thee, Khan, cried the lady ironically, disengaging herself from Zyna, and not heeding her words,
human
she continued, wiping her eyes with the end of her scarf, and in a whimpering tone,
gpt
Peace, Lurlee! returned Afzool Khan tartly.
human
What cross words are these so early in the morning? Enough for thee that the boy is safe, and that we have subject for thankfulness in his escape from danger, and not of sorrow. Peace! is it thus Alla should see thee after His mercy? Fazil will be here presently, and will tell thee perhaps as much as I know.
gpt
Ay, perhaps! retorted Lurlee.
human
I, who am less than a cat in the house, and as gentle as a sheep, am thus treated! O Khan! shame upon thee that I know everything only when it is stale, and comes to me through the bazar! Are not all your goings and comings hidden from me? and now I hear you and Zyna sat up all night together; and I was told you were not to be interrupted, and had to eat my dinner by myself, and to get to sleep as best I might. O Khan! am I less than nobody? I who am of the family of----
gpt
Thou wouldst only have been anxious and fretful, Lurlee, returned the Khan soothingly.
human
The planets would have troubled thee. We meant only well in not telling thee. It was an urgent matter, and we could not wait for the astrologer to read the tables for us, or tell us what star was in the ascendant. Go, see after some breakfast, or whatever can be got for Fazil; we may be detained, and I'll warrant he is hungry enough already. We cannot wait for lucky hours sometimes, but must take what Alla sends us.
gpt
I will not go, Khan. I will not be put off with empty words, she cried, angrily;
human
and the lady drew from her bodice a table regularly constructed to aid her astrological predictions and researches--
gpt
Peace, Lurlee! again cried the Khan, to whom his wife's astrological wisdom had long proved a serious annoyance.
human
If all the planets in the sky had come together for good or evil, Fazil must have gone last night, for it was an errand of life or death. Now all is safely over, go and prepare some sheernee for distribution, and be thankful for what is, rather than anxious about the stars----
gpt
Toba, toba! exclaimed the lady, interrupting him;
human
Nay, mother, but he did not blaspheme, urged the gentle voice of Zyna.
gpt
He did but mean that Fazil was safe everywhere; for thou knowest, dear mother, that he is in the hands of Alla, and that the blessed Alla is above all.
human
He is not above the stars, retorted the lady angrily, and over-anxious to establish the truth of her favourite superstition--
gpt
Ah, Lurlee; better leave them alone, cried the Khan, laughing.
human
Art thou not sinking deep into the mire of thine own conceit, lady? Well, thou art welcome to them if they will teach thee not to be wilful, and not to do thine own desire, which is ever ill controlled and variable; and as to their being higher than Him who made them--why, I have no more to say.
gpt
I said no such thing, retorted the lady doggedly;
human
Another time, perhaps, wife. Now we cannot delay, for the Kótwal has got hold of Fazil, and that is worse than an adverse conjunction of planets. But fear not, he added, seeing that the countenance of Zyna betrayed alarm;
gpt
If he is not, I will go to my cousin the Wuzeer's wife, and beg for him,
human
Ay, in spite of the stars? Well, well, beebee, I hope it will not be needed, said the Khan cheerily.
gpt
We are not yet come down to asking favours of our cousins' wives. No, Lurlee; keep thine interest for another time, and see to it that thy cousin doth not require thine aid ere thou hast to ask hers.
human
Impossible, Khan! cried the lady sharply.
gpt
Thou art pleased this morning to underrate my poor self and my relations. It is well, O Afzool Khan! (she meant to be very impressive when she called him by name)--
human
I do not need them, Lurlee, replied the Khan.
gpt
As to their aid to me--nay, be not angry--I have not much hope of it; and for the rest, if I am right in what I think, there is evil impending over the Wuzeer's house, which all the stars will not tell thee of, nor him either. May the saints avert it! If it be true, thou shalt know of it ere many hours be past, and we will try to aid him; but at present let there be peace between us. By-and-by thou wilt say to Fazil, It was well done, though our news may not please thee. Go, girl, bring me my sword, he continued to Zyna.
human
Bring a shawl too, for the morning air is chilly.