THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
in God's appointed time. But Princes are impatient, and will not let an old man die peacefully."
Akbar smiled as he spoke the last words, but his eyes betrayed a deep anxiety which Raja Man Singh read correctly.
"If your Majesty thinks thus of Prince Selim," said the Raja, "will it not be as well to provide for the security of the Empire when we are no more? Prince Selim has worthy sons; will not the sceptre be safer in their hands than in the hands of the misguided Selim?"
The keen-sighted Emperor knew the thoughts that were in Man Singh's mind. The Raja's sister had been married to Prince Selim, and had borne him his eldest son, Prince Khasru, now a promising boy. Man Singh's greater affection for his sister's son, and perhaps his regard for the safety of the Empire, suggested to him the idea that the worthless and abandoned Prince Selim might be set aside and that Prince Khasru might succeed Akbar. But the wise Akbar would not listen to the suggestion; and history records that his influence, exerted when he was on his death-bed, secured the succession of Selim against the powerful wishes of Man Singh and his many friends.
"No, Raja Man Singh," said Akbar, after reflection, "I cannot assent to your suggestion. Your sister's son is as fine a lad as I have seen, and none of my grandsons is dearer to my heart than gallant Khasru. But to set aside the father in favour of the son would be a bad example. An irregular succession to the throne of India," he added with prophetic wisdom, "would lead to crimes and bloodshed in the future. Selim has been undutiful to me, but I have forgiven him and will lead him back to obedience.
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