But that marriage had been fatal to him.  When Debendra came to years of discretion he perceived that on account of his wife’s disposition there was no hope of domestic happiness for him.  With manhood there arose in him a love for beauty, but in his own house this was denied to him; with manhood there came a desire for conjugal affection, but the mere sight of the unamiable Hembati quenched the desire.  Putting happiness out of the question, Debendra perceived that it would be difficult to stay in the house to endure the venom of Hembati’s tongue.  One day Hembati poured forth abuse on her husband; he had endured much, he could endure no more, he dragged Hembati by the hair and kicked her.  From that day, deserting his home, he went to Calcutta, leaving orders that a small house should be built for him in the garden.  Before this occurred the father of Debendra had died, therefore he was independent.  In Calcutta he plunged into vicious pursuits to allay his unsatisfied desires, and then strove to wash away his heart’s reproaches in wine; after that he ceased to feel any remorse, he took delight in vice.  When he had learned what Calcutta could teach him in regard to luxury, Debendra returned to his native place, and, taking up his abode in the garden-house, gave himself up to the indulgence of his recently acquired tastes.  Debendra had learned many peculiar fashions in Calcutta; on returning to Debipur he called himself a Reformer.  First he established a Brahmo Samaj; many such Brahmos as Tara Charan were attracted to it, and to the speech-making there was no limit.  He also thought of opening a female school; but this required too much effort, he could not do it.  About widow marriage he was very zealous.  One or two such marriages had been arranged, the widows being of low caste; but the credit of these was due, not to him, but to the contracting parties.  He had been of one mind with Tara Charan about breaking the chains of the zenana; both had said, “Let women come out.”  In this matter Debendra was very successful, but then this emancipation had in his mind a special meaning.

When Debendra, on his return from Govindpur, had thrown off his disguise and resumed his natural appearance, he took his seat in the next room.  His servant, having prepared the pain-relieving huka, placed the snake in front of him.  Debendra spent some time in the service of that fatigue-destroying goddess, Tobacco.  He is not worthy to be called a man who does not know the luxury of tobacco.  Oh, satisfier of the hearts of all! oh, world enchantress! may we ever be devoted to thee!  Your vehicles, the huka, the pipe, let them ever remain before us.  At the mere sight of them we shall obtain heavenly delight.  Oh, huka! thou that sendest forth volumes of curling smoke, that hast a winding tube shaming the serpent! oh, bowl that beautifies thy top! how graceful are the chains of thy turban; how great is the beauty of thy curved mouthpiece;