Surja Mukhi, with wet eyes, said:  “I am dying; why should I feel shame at such a time?  I have no other trouble than this, that I am dying without seeing my husband’s face.  If I could but see him once I should die happy.”

The Brahmachari wiped his eyes also, and said: 

“Where is your husband?  It is impossible for you to go to him now; but if he, on receiving the news, could come here, I would let him know by letter.”

Surja Mukhi’s wan face expanded into a smile; then again becoming dejected, she said:  “He could come, but I cannot tell if he would.  I am guilty of a great offence against him, but he is full of kindness to me; he might forgive me, but he is far from here.  Can I live till he comes?”

Finding, on further inquiry, that the Babu lived at Haripur Zillah, the Brahmachari brought pen and paper, and, taking Surja Mukhi’s instructions, wrote as follows: 

“SIR,—­I am a stranger to you.  I am a Brahman, leading the life of a Brahmachari.  I do not even know who you are; this only I know, that Srimati Surja Mukhi Dasi is your wife.  She is lying in a dangerous state of illness in the house of the Boisnavi Haro Mani, in the village of Madhupur.  She is under medical treatment, but it appears uncertain whether she will recover.  Her last desire is to see you once more and die.  If you are able to pardon her offence, whatever it may be, then pray come hither quickly.  I address her as ‘Mother.’  As a son I write this letter by her direction.  She has no strength to write herself.  If you come, do so by way of Ranigunj.  Inquire in Ranigunj for Sriman Madhab Chandra, and on mentioning my name he will send some one with you.  In this way you will not have to search Madhupur for the house.  If you come, come quickly, or it may be too late.  Receive my blessing.

“(Signed) SIVA PRASAD.”

The letter ended, the Brahmachari asked, “What address shall I write?”

Surja Mukhi replied, “When Haro Mani comes I will tell you."[15]

[Footnote 15:  The wife does not utter the name of her husband except under stress of necessity.]

Haro Mani, having arrived, addressed the letter to Nagendra Natha Datta, and took it to the post-office.  When the Brahmachari had gone, Surja Mukhi, with tearful eyes, joined hands, and upturned face, put up her petition to the Creator, saying, “Oh, supreme God, if you are faithful, then, as I am a true wife, may this letter accomplish its end.  I knew nothing during my life save the feet of my husband.  I do not desire heaven as the reward of my devotion; this only I desire, that I may see my husband ere I die.”

But the letter did not reach Nagendra.  He had left Govindpur long before it arrived there.  The messenger gave the letter to the Dewan, and went away.  Nagendra had said to the Dewan, “When I stay at any place I shall write thence to you.  When you receive my instructions, forward any letters that may have arrived for me.”