aud an estate that belonged to Baha'u'llah,
had sworn eternal enmity to the One Who had so brilliantly succeeded in
frustrating his evil designs. The Amir-Nizam, moreover, fully aware of the
pervasive influence of so energetic an opponent, had, in the presence of a
distinguished gathering, accused Him of having inflicted, as a result of
His activities, a loss of no less than five kururs upon the government,
and had expressly requested Him, at a critical moment in the fortunes of
the Faith, to temporarily transfer His residence to Karbila. Mirza Aqa
_Kh_an-i-Nuri, who succeeded the Amir-Nizam, had endeavored, at the very
outset of his ministry, to effect a reconciliation between his government
and the One Whom he regarded as the most resourceful of the Bab's
disciples. Little wonder that when, later, an act of such gravity and
temerity was committed, a suspicion as dire as it was unfounded, should at
once have crept into the minds of the _Sh_ah, his government, his court,
and his people against Baha'u'llah. Foremost among them was the mother of
the youthful sovereign, who, inflamed with anger, was openly denouncing
Him as the would-be murderer of her son.

Baha'u'llah, when that attempt had been made on the life of the sovereign,
was in Lavasan, the guest of the Grand Vizir, and was staying in the
village of Af_ch_ih when the momentous news reached Him. Refusing to heed
the advice of the Grand Vizir's brother, Ja'far-Quli _Kh_an, who was
acting as His host, to remain for a time concealed in that neighborhood,
and dispensing with the good offices of the messenger specially dispatched
to insure His safety, He rode forth, the following morning, with cool
intrepidity, to the headquarters of the Imperial army which was then
stationed in Niyavaran, in the _Sh_imiran district. In the village of
Zarkandih He was met by, and conducted to the home of, His brother-in-law,
Mirza Majid, who, at that time, was acting as secretary to the Russian
Minister, Prince Dolgorouki, and whose house adjoined that of his
superior. Apprised of Baha'u'llah's arrival the attendants of the
Hajibu'd-Dawlih, Haji 'Ali _Kh_an, straightway informed their master, who
in turn brought the matter to the attention of his sovereign. The _Sh_ah,
greatly amazed, dispatched his trusted officers to the Legation, demanding
that the Accused be forthwith delivered into his hands. Refusing to comply
with the wishes of the royal envoys, the Russian Minister requested
Ba