Durgeshnandini by Chattopadhyay Bankim Chandra

Author:Chattopadhyay, Bankim Chandra [Chattopadhyay, Bankim Chandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Classics, Romance
ISBN: 9788184002461
Amazon: 8184002467
Goodreads: 32485903
Publisher: Random House India
Published: 1865-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Tilottama or You?

THE NEXT MORNING Ayesha, Osman, and the physician were seated as before in Jagatsingh’s chamber; Ayesha was on the bed, fanning him with her own hands, the physician was regularly examining his pulse, Jagatsingh was still unconscious. The physician had said that Jagatsingh’s critical hour would come that night when the fever was about to leave him; if he could survive it, there would be nothing more to fear. The hour for the fever to drop was at hand, everyone was anxious; the doctor examined his pulse repeatedly, murmuring words like ‘weak’, ‘weaker still’, ‘a little stronger’. Suddenly his expression changed to one of apprehension. ‘It is the hour,’ he declared.

Ayesha and Osman remained frozen, listening. The physician held the patient’s wrist, feeling for his pulse.

‘The indications are poor,’ he said a little later. Ayesha looked even more despondent. Suddenly Jagatsingh’s face contorted and drained of colour. His fists tightened, his eyes began to roll unnaturally. Ayesha realized the end was almost at hand, death was about to deal its final blow. The physician had been waiting with a vial of potion in his hand, the moment he observed these symptoms he parted the patient’s lips and poured it in. Most of the potion trickled down the side of his mouth, but a few drops found their way in. As soon as they did, however, a distinct change manifested itself in the afflicted man. His expression softened gradually, returning his face to its natural form; the unnatural alabaster hue of his skin gave way to a ruddy colour as the blood began to circulate again. His fists fell loose, and his eyes became calm, closing again. The physician examined his pulse with concentration. After a long time, he declared happily, ‘He is safe. There is nothing more to be afraid of.’

‘Has the fever abated?’ enquired Osman.

‘It has,’ answered the physician.

Both Ayesha and Osman looked pleased. ‘There is no further cause for concern,’ the physician continued. ‘There is no longer any need for me to stay at his bedside. Give him this potion every hour until midnight.’The physician left. Osman repaired to his own chamber after a short while. Ayesha resumed her place on the bed, giving the patient the potion as directed by the physician.

Shortly before the second hour after midnight, the prince opened his eyes. His first sight was of Ayesha’s joyful face. The look in his eyes suggested to her that he was not in full possession of his faculties, and that he was striving hard to recollect something, but in vain. After a long interval, he looked at Ayesha to ask, ‘Where am I?’ These were the first words uttered by the prince in two days.

‘In Katlu Khan’s fort,’ answered Ayesha.

Once again the prince tried to gather his memories. ‘Why am I here?’ he asked after another long interval.

Ayesha did not answer at first. Eventually, she said, ‘You are ailing.’

The prince thought about this and shook his head. ‘No, I have been captured,’ he said.

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