Kamal Mani replied—­

“You have become quite foolish, else how can you doubt your husband’s heart?  Do not lose faith in him; if you really cannot trust him you had better drown yourself.  I, Kamal Mani, tell you you had better drown yourself.  She who can no longer trust her husband had better die.”

CHAPTER X.

THE SPROUT.

On the course of a short time Nagendra’s whole nature was changed.  As at eventime, in the hot season, the clear sky becomes suddenly veiled in cloud, so Nagendra’s mind became clouded.  Surja Mukhi wept secretly.

She thought to herself, “I will take Kamal Mani’s advice.  Why should I doubt my husband’s heart?  His heart is firm as the hills.  I am under a delusion.  Perhaps he is suffering in health.”  Alas!  Surja Mukhi was building a bridge of sand.

In the house there dwelt a sort of doctor.  Surja Mukhi was the house-mistress.  Sitting behind the purdah (a half-transparent screen) she held converse with everyone, the person addressed remaining in the verandah.  Calling the doctor, Surja Mukhi said—­

“The Babu is not well; why do you not give him medicine?”

“Is he ill?  I did not know of it; I have heard nothing.”

“Has not the Babu told you?”

“No; what is the matter?”

“What is the matter?  Are you a doctor, and do you ask that?  Do I know?”

The doctor was nonplussed, and saying, “I will go and inquire,” he was about to leave; but Surja Mukhi, calling him back, said, “Do not ask the Babu about it; give him some medicine.”

The doctor thought this a peculiar sort of treatment; but there was no lack of medicine in the house, and going to the dispensary, he composed a draught of soda, port-wine, and some simple drugs, and, filling a bottle, labelled it, “To be taken twice a day.”

Surja Mukhi took the physic to her husband, and requested him to drink it.  Nagendra, taking the bottle, read the inscription, and, hurling it away, struck a cat with it.  The cat fled, her tail drenched with the physic.

Surja Mukhi said:  “If you will not take the medicine, at least tell me what is your complaint.”

Nagendra, annoyed, said, “What complaint have I?”

“Look at yourself,” replied Surja Mukhi, “and see how thin you have become,” and she held a mirror before him.

Nagendra, taking the mirror from her, threw it down and smashed it to atoms.

Surja Mukhi began to weep.  With an angry look Nagendra went away.  Meeting a servant in the outer room, the Babu struck him for no fault.  Surja Mukhi felt as if she had received the blow.  Formerly Nagendra had been of a very calm temper; now the least thing made him angry.

Nor was this all.  One night, the hour for the meal being already past, Nagendra had not come in.  Surja Mukhi sat expecting him.  At length, when he appeared, she was astonished at his looks.  His face and eyes were inflamed—­he had been drinking, and as he had never been given to drinking before his wife was shocked.  From that time it became a daily custom.