DELHI. 
59 
stricken walls of a prison, that he was struck with 
amazement and unexpected admiration. Superb and 
tasteful as was everything around, yet by far the 
most incomparable ornament of the place was the 
beauty herself ; so that it was some little time ere 
Jehanghir noticed that, while she herself was clothed 
in plain white muslin, her slaves who sat around 
her were glittering in the most rich and dazzling 
costumes, loaded with jewels. Mher-ul-Nissa, no- 
thing astonished by this sudden visit, slowly arose 
from her recumbent posture, and, with a well-feigned 
confusion, saluted the emperor with the customary 
salaam, touching first the ground and then her fore- 
head with her right hand. She did not utter a 
word, but stood with her deeply-shrouded eyes fixed 
upon the emperor’s embroidered slippers. Jehanghir, 
too, remained for many moments silent, overcome by 
her extraordinary beauty and that inexpressible 
voluptuousness of mien which it is quite impossible 
to disregard. At length, having in a measure 
recovered from his embarrassment, he seated himself 
upon the low couch which Mher-ul-Nissa had occu- 
pied when he had entered, and requested in the most 
respectful terms that she would condescend to sit 
by his side. 
“ Ravisher of hearts,” said Jehanghir, a I pray 
thee be pleased to explain to me what is meant by 
this strange distinction which I behold in the habits 
of the illustrious Mher-ul-Nissa and that of her 
