Reviving, the woman asked, “Where am I?”

The Brahmachari answered, “Finding you dying by the roadside, I brought you hither.  Where are you going?”

“Very far.”

Haro Mani said:  “You still wear your bracelet; is your husband living?”

The sick woman’s brow darkened.  Haro Mani was perplexed.

The Brahmachari asked “What shall we call you? what is your name?”

The desolate creature, moving a little restlessly, replied, “My name is Surja Mukhi.”

CHAPTER XXVIII.

IS THERE HOPE?

There was apparently no hope of Surja Mukhi’s life.  The Brahmachari, not understanding her symptoms, next morning called in the village doctor.  Ram Krishna Rai was very learned, particularly in medicine.  He was renowned in the village for his skill.  On seeing the symptoms, he said—­

“This is consumption, and on this fever has set in.  It is, I fear, a mortal sickness; still she may live.”

These words were not said in the presence of Surja Mukhi.

The doctor administered physic, and seeing the destitute condition of the woman he said nothing about fees.  He was not an avaricious man.

Dismissing the physician, the Brahmachari sent Haro Mani about other work, and entered into conversation with Surja Mukhi, who said—­

“Thakur, why have you taken so much trouble about me?  There is no need to do so on my account.”

“What trouble have I taken?” replied the Brahmachari; “this is my work.  To assist others is my vocation; if I had not been occupied with you, some one else in similar circumstances would have required my services.”

“Then leave me, and attend to others.  You can assist others, you cannot help me.”

“Wherefore?” asked the Brahmachari.

“To restore me to health will not help me.  Death alone will give me peace.  Last night, when I fell down by the roadside, I hoped that I should die.  Why did you save me?”

“I knew not that you were in such deep trouble.  But however deep it is, self-destruction is a great sin.  Never be guilty of such an act.  To kill one’s self is as sinful as to kill another.”

“I have not tried to kill myself; death has approached voluntarily, therefore I hoped; but even in dying I have no joy.”  Saying these words, Surja Mukhi’s voice broke, and she began to weep.

The Brahmachari said:  “Whenever you speak of dying I see you weep; you wish to die.  Mother, I am like a son to you; look upon me as such, and tell me your wish.  If there is any remedy for your trouble, tell me, and I will bring it about.  Wishing to say this, I have sent Haro Mani away, and am sitting alone with you.  From your speech I infer that you belong to a very respectable family.  That you are in a state of very great anxiety, I perceive.  Why should you not tell me what it is?  Consider me as your son, and speak.”