THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
"And what follows?"
"If Birnagar is hopelessly in arrear it may in some future year be sold for such arrears, and the Chief of Debipur may happen to be the purchaser. Such events have taken place before now."
"Thou takest my breath away by thy disclosures, friend! But wait a moment. The Kanangoe might punish me for disturbances arising during my administration, and appoint an Imperial Agent to manage both the estates."
"The Kanangoe's decision has been made. I visited him last week to some purpose."
Nobo Kumar was struck dumb by the cool daring of his servant.
"I have been bold and rash in my time," he said, and I am not naturally a timid man, but thy scheme fairly staggers me!"
"My scheme is my Master's scheme—to see him seated on the Guddee of Debipur, to see Birnagar eventually annexed to Debipur."
"But my august lady," spoke Nobo Kumar, "has a more innocent scheme to unite the two estates. It is a woman's scheme, but maybe it is safe!"
"Her scheme is worthy of her ladyship's benevolent heart," said Gokul Das, but scarcely falls in with a man's sterner purpose."
A shade of anger clouded Nobo Kumar's brow. Even family secrets were no secrets from this deep-browed servant. Gokul Das judged his master's feelings, and added calmly:
"Her ladyship trusts your servant as you trust him. She knows him to be faithful to the House which he has served these forty years."
44
