ire away, instead
of returning him to his father's keeping? I tell you, nephew Kumran,
that your father, Babar the Brave, Babar the Kindly, Babar the Generous,
Babar the Just, whom all men loved for his mercy, would have given
_death_ for such faults--and given it rightly. And will you, like a
fool, court death also?" She looked round the assembly to see many a
sullen, suspicious face, and understood that danger lay close at hand.
So her resolution was taken in a moment. "See you!" she went on,
"nothing has been done yet to make forgiveness impossible. Well!
I--Khanzada Khanum,--old as I am, will go forth to meet King Humayon and
plead thy cause. I will ask what boon you wish, and I promise it shall
be yours. Humayon will give much in exchange for his son, and none have
ever denied me anything. Shall it be so?" Then seeing hesitation she put
in a crafty word: "There will be time afterwards for--anything----"

Kumran looked round his nobles, then into his own heart. What he saw
there was such a tissue of lies and deceit that he could find no clear
decision; so, as usual, he temporised. "It is worth a trial," he
murmured. "I might ask for much."

"Ask for all and everything," said Dearest-Lady, who felt she had gained
her point; "I make but one condition. The child must remain unharmed
until I return."

Again Kumran hesitated. Again he looked in his own heart. Again he found
no clear cause for decision there; so he said doubtfully:

"Until you return?"

"Nay! swear it," came the high, insistent voice. "Say before them all,
'By the memory of my dear father no harm shall come to the child ere you
return.'"

Half unwillingly Kumran repeated the words and Dearest-Lady gave a sigh
of relief. She had gained her point. But now that she had to face the
consequences of her offer to go forth and meet Humayon her heart sank
within her; for she was very old and not over strong. The journey was
long; winter was coming on fast. Still it had to be done, and at once.
For Kumran's promise of safety to the Heir-to-Empire was only _during
her absence_, and who knew whether his craft might not claim freedom to
do as he chose ere she started!

So she made her arrangements for that very evening, and she had much to
do. To begin with she must see the Heir-to-Empire the very last thing,
and make certain that he was well cared for. Then she had to arrange for
the safety and comfort of Head-nurse, Foster-mother and little Bija, for
it was