THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
retainers to raze Birnagar to the ground. The victory of Raja Todar Mull at Akmahal ruined his schemes. Nobo Kumar had staked all and lost all, and his own estate was annexed to Birnagar for a time.
But Nobo Kumar never knew what it was to be beaten. Driven from his home and his estate, he waited with silent determination to take a fresh move at the next opportunity, and his faithful friend and minister, Gokul Das, shared his exile.
Gokul Das had tried to dissuade his master from joining Dayud Khan until the contest between the Afghans and the Moguls was decided. The impetuous Nobo Kumar had disregarded the advice, but had time to appreciate its value afterwards. The two remained together in concealment, and waited for the next chance.
The chance came when Raja Todar Mull left Bengal and Noren's father and grandfather were dead. The impetuous Nobo Kumar desired to collect his retainers and to take possession of his old estate of Debipur by sheer force, hoping to obtain royal sanction by gifts. But the astute Gokul Das dissuaded him from this new act of rashness. "Raja Todar Mull is coming to Bengal again," he said. "The Raja has not forgotten the House of Birnagar, and his gauntleted hand will not fail to reach one who hurts the infant heir. We must wait and try other methods. The game is his who waits."
They had not to wait very long. Raja Todar Mull came to Bengal a third time, not against the Afghans who had been crushed, but against Mogul barons who had risen in rebellion against their Emperor. They had carved out large estates for themselves out of
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