DELHI. 
43 
wit, the arrow which the unrivalled charms of her 
person had driven through his heart. 
Sulim, distracted by his passion, knew not what 
course to pursue ; for he was well aware that the 
all-beautiful damsel, the captivator of his heart, had 
been betrothed by her father to Shere Afghan, a 
Turkomann nobleman of great renown. In his sus- 
pense, he sought the advice of his father Akbur, 
who, guided by the integrity of his heart, sternly 
refused to allow any act of injustice to be practised, 
even in favour of the heir to his throne, his favourite 
son. The young prince retired from the presence 
abashed and spirit -broken, and the incomparable 
Mher-ul-Nissa became the bride of Shere Afghan. 
This nobleman suffered, however, great prejudice at 
court from all but the emperor himself, for not 
having made a voluntary resignation of the lady to 
the enamoured prince ; for, although Sulim dared 
not to make any open attack upon his fortunate 
rival during the lifetime of his father, still the 
courtiers worshipped the rising sun, and threw 
unmerited contumely and defamation upon Shere 
Afghan; who, becoming disgusted with his un- 
enviable position, withdrew from the court, and 
retired to Burdwan, having obtained the govern- 
ment of that district from the Suba of Bengal. 
The passion for Mher -ul-Nissa wdiich Sulim had 
repressed, from respect and fear of his father, re- 
turned with accumulated force, when his royal 
