# Kapalkundala (Ghose)/Part 3/Chapter 2

CHAPTER II.
At the parting of ways.
The day Moti or Luthfannisha as she was called bade farewell to Nabokumar, she started out on her journey towards Burdwan. She could not reach her destination the same day. So she stopped at a wayside inn. Towards the evening when she sat tete-a-tete with her Peshman or chamber-maid she suddenly asked "Peshman, how did you see my husband?"
Peshman was a little taken aback at the abrupt question and replied "What to see other than a plain man?"
"If he is not a handsome person?" interrogated Moti again.
Peshman developed a great aversion for Nabokumar. She had an eye on the ornaments Moti gave away to Nabokumar and was anxiously looking forward to the day when she would get the same on her mere asking for them. That hope was blighted now. So she came to hate both Kapalkundala and her husband. Accordingly on her mistress questioning her on the subject she retorted, "Gainly or ungainly is all the same for a poor Brahmin."
Moti took in the significance of the maid's observation and hilariously said "If the poor Brahmin blossoms ​into an Omrah whether he would not look all the more handsome?"
"What a new idea?"
"Why? Don't you remember the Begum's promise that my husband shall be created an Omrah when Khasru becomes the Badsha?"
Know it I do, of course. But what earthly reason is there that your former husband shall be made an Omrah?"
"Besides, what other husband have I got?"
"I mean the prospective new husband"
Moti jestfully added "It is a wicked thing for a chaste woman like me to be in possession of two husbands!—who goes there?"
Peshman happened to recognise the man, whom Moti challenged, to be a creature of Khan Ajim of Agra. Both looked flurried. Peshman called in the man who came forward, saluted Luthfunnisha and handed in a letter to her. Moreover, he said "I was carrying the letter to Orissa because of its urgency."
The reading of the missive gave a death-blow to Moti's high hopes and cherished aspirations of life. The letter ran as follows:—
"Our energies are of no avail. Even on death-bed Akbar Shah defeated our ends by his art and sagacity. His soul has passed away into eternity. Under his orders Prince Selim has assumed the title of Jehangir Shah. You need not worry yourself about Khasru. Come back posthaste with a view to baffle any design of hostility towards you on the occasion."
​The way Akbar Shah broke up the conspiracy is described in history. So it is out of place to give an account here.
When the messenger was sent away with a reward, Moti read out the letter to Peshman.
"Good Heavens! Any means now?" exclaimed Peshman.
"Every thing has gone by board now."
Peshman. (Thoughtfully) "But what a harm can there be? You shall be as you had been. The inmate of a Badsha's harem is far more powerful than the sovereign queen of any other land."
(With a slight laugh) "That can never be a possibility any longer. I can not live any more in the Palace as Meherunnisha shall be married to Jehangir in a short time. I know Meherunnisha from her nursery days and once she is an inmate of the harem, Jehangir shall be a Badshah in name. It will be an open secret to her that I once stood between her and the throne. Then what will be my condition?"
Peshman was about to burst into tears.
"Alas! what should be done then?" cried out she.
"There is one hope yet—how is Meherunnisha inclined towards Jehangir?" said Moti "As for her singleness of purpose, if she has actually set her heart upon her husband and has no affection for Jehangir, then Jehangir despite slaying one hundred Sher Afgans must fail to secure Meherunnisha. But if Meherunnisha takes a fancy to Jehangir, then everything is given up for lost."
​"How are you to understand Meherunnisha's heart?" enquired Peshman.
"Is any feat impossible with Moti?" joined Moti with a smile "My friendship with Meherunnisha is as old as our childhood. I shall proceed to Burdwan to-morrow and stay with her for two days."
"Supposing Meherunnisha does not love the Badshah, what happens then?"
"I heard my father say 'Things should be done as judged on the spot by the test of circumstances.'"
Both remained silent for sometime. A thin smile curled the lips of Moti.
"What makes you laugh" interrogated Peshman.
"Some new impulses are coming" answered Moti.
"What new impulses?"
Moti did not speak that to Peshman. We, too, shall not speak that to the reader. This should be told later on.