human
He is searching for mines daily, said the eunuch,
gpt
The difficulty, then, lies with the Queen and Abbas Khan,
human
It does, replied the eunuch;
gpt
That would be impossible, said the general;
human
he added with a sneer,
gpt
They would not, said the eunuch;
human
Not even the Queen?
gpt
Not even she. Her life would be the instant forfeit.
human
Now, continued the general, grimly,
gpt
You might, my lord.
human
And we should be successful?
gpt
That I cannot answer for. It would depend upon yourselves.
human
Not entirely, sir. You who command the Dekhanies might persuade them to be neutral; to--to--in fact to throw themselves on the Royal clemency. And suppose I assured you personally two lakhs of rupees for the service, and through you all arrears of pay to your party, would that suffice?
gpt
Take it, friend, said Osman Beg.
human
My lord will give the amount in bills on Dehly or Guzerat, unless thou wait the issue and receive it here in cash. Thou canst not carry away the coin, and we cannot send it.
gpt
I am content, said the eunuch,
human
And remember, said the general,
gpt
I take the responsibility, my lord. I wish only for peace.
human
You have forgotten me, Humeed Khan,
gpt
Not so, friend, said the eunuch.
human
What I purpose will cause much confusion. The gallery of the counterscarp will be deserted, and thou knowest the way into the sally ports. Who will distinguish friends from enemies? Thou must do thy part, and I shall be able to aid thee. Fear not, one who desires a fair woman must needs do something to get her. More I cannot say; be ready on my signal, and join me. There will be enough of screaming women, and who will heed if one among them is carried away in a blanket? Surely thou hast some of thy old dare devils to help thee. If not, give up the girl.
gpt
I cannot, and will not; she is my fate,
human
It will be destroyed, he said;
gpt
And leave ye all behind to perish? I cannot do it! said the noble Queen, with a calm, serene expression on her countenance;
human
she added, with a confident smile,
gpt
I think I shall be successful. There is no dishonour in what the Lord hath put into my mind, and all our dear ones may be happy. Where is Zóra? Does she know of the mine?
human
No, he said,
gpt
Then send her to me, Meeah; I would speak with her;