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THE KOH-I-NUR. 101
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emissary from Runjeet, who demanded the jewel in the name of his master. The fugitive monarch asked for time to consider
the request, and hinted that after he had partaken of Runjeet's
hospitality he might be disposed to listen to his demands.
But
the Lion of Lahore was in too great a hurry to lay his hands upon
Shuja's diamond to think of hospitality. On the contrary he treated the
Shah as a prisoner, separated him from his wife, and acted with extreme
harshness towards the latter. He even tried to starve the poor Begum
into giving up her diamonds. He fancied that he had succeeded, and, in
great delight, spread out before some knowing persons, the gems which
his cruelty had extorted from the luckless queen, asking them which
was the Koh-i-nur. Great was Runjeet's disgust when he was told that
the famous diamond was not among the lot.
Shah Shuja speaking of the final transaction says :
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