I Had Never Before Been So Graciously
Treated By The King As Now, Which All The Great Men Took Notice Of, And
Accordingly Altered Their Deportment Towards Me.
It so happened that the
jesuit acted as my interpreter on this occasion, by the king's
appointment.
I went from the durbar to the house of Asaph Khan, according to
invitation, and continued there till the king came out again, when I was
conducted back, accompanied by Mr Hughes, the supposed painter, with
whom the king had some discourse. After this, I shewed the king a
curious picture I had of a friend of mine, which pleased him much, and
he shewed it to all his company. The king sent for his chief painter,
who pretended he could make as good, which I denied, on which a wager of
a horse was made between Asaph Khan and me in the king's presence, and
to please him, but Asaph afterwards retracted. After this, the Mogul
fell to drinking some Alicant wine which I had presented him, giving
some of it to those about him, and then sent for a full bottle, and
drinking a cup, sent it to me, saying it soured so fast it would be
spoiled before he could drink it, and I had none. This done, he turned
him to sleep, when all the candles were put out, and I had to grope my
way out in the dark.
This day, a gentlewoman attendant upon Noor-mahal was taken in the
king's house in some improper act with an eunuch, when another animal of
the same kind, who loved her, slew her paramour.
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