kind holds a firm place.  The love produced by virtue as virtue is lasting certainly, but it takes time to know these virtues; therefore this love never becomes suddenly strong, it is of gradual growth.  The infatuation for beauty springs into full force at first sight; its first strength is so uncontrollable that all other faculties are destroyed by it.  Whether it be a lasting love there is no means of knowing.  It thinks itself undying.  So you have thought.  In the first strength of this infatuation your enduring love for Surja Mukhi became invisible to your eyes.  This delusion is inherent in man’s nature; therefore I do not censure you, rather I counsel you to strive to be happy in this state.

“Do not despair; Surja Mukhi will certainly return.  How long can she exist without seeing you?  So long as she remains absent, do you cherish Kunda Nandini.  So far as I understand your letters she is not without attractive qualities.  When the infatuation for her beauty is lessened, there may remain something to create a lasting love; if that is so, you will be able to make yourself happy with her; and should you not again see your elder wife you may forget her, especially as the younger one loves you.  Be not careless about love; for in love is man’s only spotless and imperishable joy, the final means by which his nature can be elevated.  Without love man could not dwell in this world that he has made so evil.”

Nagendra Natha’s reply: 

“I have not answered your letter until now because of the trouble of my mind.  I understand all you have written, and I know your counsel is good.  But I cannot resolve to stay at home.  A month ago my Surja Mukhi left me, and I have had no news of her.  I design to follow her; I will wander from place to place in search of her.  If I find her I will bring her home, otherwise I shall not return.  I cannot remain with Kunda Nandini; she has become a pain to my eyes.  It is not her fault, it is mine, but I cannot endure to see her face.  Formerly I said nothing to her, but now I am perpetually finding fault with her.  She weeps—­what can I do?  I shall soon be with you.”

As Nagendra wrote so he acted.  Placing the care of everything in the hands of the Dewan during his temporary absence, he set forth on his wanderings.  Kamal Mani had previously gone to Calcutta; therefore of the people mentioned in this narrative, Kunda Nandini alone was left in the Datta mansion, and the servant Hira remained in attendance upon her.

Darkness fell on the large household.  As a brilliantly-lighted, densely-crowded dancing-hall, resounding with song and music, becomes dark, silent, and empty when the performance is over, so that immense household became when abandoned by Surja Mukhi and Nagendra Natha.

As a child, having played for a day with a gaily painted doll, breaks and throws it away, and by degrees, earth accumulating, grass springs over it, so Kunda Nandini, abandoned by Nagendra Natha, remained untended and alone amid the crowd of people in that vast house.