Kamal Mani having read the letter, said—­

“In what respect he is to blame God knows; but what delusions he cherishes!  I think men understand nothing.  Be that as it may, arrange your affairs, husband; we must go to Govindpur.”

“But,” replied Srish, “can you stop the marriage?”

“If not, I will die at my brother’s feet.”

“Nay, you can’t do that; but we may bring the new wife away.  Let us try.”

Then both prepared for the journey to Govindpur.  Early the next day they started by boat, and arrived there in due time.  Before entering the house they met the women-servants and some neighbours, who had come to bring Kamal Mani from the ghat.  Both she and her husband were extremely anxious to know if the marriage had taken place, but neither could put a single question.  How could they speak to strangers of such a shameful subject?

Hurriedly Kamal Mani entered the women’s apartments; she even forgot Satish Babu, who remained lingering behind.  Indistinctly, and dreading the answer, she asked the servants—­

“Where is Surja Mukhi?”

She feared lest they should say the marriage was accomplished, or that Surja Mukhi was dead.  The women replied that their mistress was in her bed-room.  Kamal Mani darted thither.  For a minute or two she searched hither and thither, finding no one.  At last she saw a woman sitting near a window, her head bowed down.  Kamal Mani could not see her face, but she knew it was Surja Mukhi, who, now hearing footsteps, arose and came forward.  Not even yet could Kamal ask if the marriage had taken place.  Surja Mukhi had lost flesh; her figure, formerly straight as a pine, had become bent like a bow; her laughing eyes were sunk; her lily face had lost its roundness.

Kamal Mani comprehended that the marriage was accomplished.  She inquired, “When was it?”

Surja Mukhi answered, “Yesterday.”

Then the two sat down together, neither speaking.  Surja Mukhi hid her face in the other’s lap, and wept.  Kamal Mani’s tears fell on Surja Mukhi’s unbound hair.

Of what was Nagendra thinking at that time as he sat in the boita khana?  His thoughts said:  “Kunda Nandini!  Kunda is mine; Kunda is my wife!  Kunda!  Kunda! she is mine!”

Srish Chandra sat down beside him, but Nagendra could say little; he could think only, “Surja Mukhi herself hastened to give Kunda to me in marriage; who then can object to my enjoying this happiness?”

CHAPTER XXI.

SURJA MUKHI AND KAMAL MANI.

When, in the evening, the two gained self-control to talk together, Surja Mukhi related the affair of the marriage from beginning to end.

Astonished, Kamal Mani said—­

“This marriage has been brought about by your exertions!  Why have you thus sacrificed yourself?”

Surja Mukhi smiled, a faint smile indeed, like the pale flashes of lightning after rain; then answered—­