If he had offered ready money many would have consented to his proposal; but after he had gone away Kunda would have been reduced to servitude, or turned out of the house.  Nagendra did not act in so foolish a manner; therefore, money not being forthcoming, no one consented to his suggestion.

At length one, seeing him at the end of his resources, observed:  “A sister of her mother’s lives at Sham Bazar; Binod Ghosh is the husband’s name.  You are on you way to Calcutta; if you take her with you and place her with her aunt, then this Kaystha girl will be cared for, and you will have done your duty to your caste.”

Seeing no other plan, Nagendra adopted this suggestion, and sent for Kunda to acquaint her with the arrangement.

Champa accompanied Kunda.  As they were coming, Kunda, seeing Nagendra from afar, suddenly stood still like one stunned.  Her feet refused to move; she stood looking at him with eyes full of astonishment.

Champa asked, “Why do you stand thus?”

Kunda, pointing with her finger, said, “It is he!”

“He!  Who?” said Champa.

“He whom last night my mother pictured in the heavens.”

Then Champa also stood frightened and astonished.  Seeing that the girls shrank from approaching, Nagendra came near and explained everything.  Kunda was unable to reply; she could only gaze with eyes full of surprise.

CHAPTER III.

OF MANY SUBJECTS.

Reluctantly did Nagendra Natha take Kunda with him to Calcutta.  On arriving there he made much search for her aunt’s husband, but he found no one in Sham Bazar named Binod Ghosh.  He found a Binod Das, who admitted no relationship.  Thus Kunda remained as a burthen upon Nagendra.

Nagendra had one sister, younger than himself, named Kamal Mani, whose father-in-law’s house was in Calcutta.  Her husband’s name was Srish Chandra Mittra.  Srish Babu was accountant in the house of Plunder, Fairly, and Co.  It was a great house, and Srish Chandra was wealthy.  He was much attached to his brother-in-law.  Nagendra took Kunda Nandini thither, and imparted her story to Kamal Mani.

Kamal was about eighteen years of age.  In features she resembled Nagendra; both brother and sister were very handsome.  But, in addition to her beauty, Kamal was famed for her learning.  Nagendra’s father, engaging an English teacher, had had Kamal Mani and Surja Mukhi well instructed.  Kamal’s mother-in-law was living, but she dwelt in Srish Chandra’s ancestral home.  In Calcutta Kamal Mani was house-mistress.

When he had finished the story of Kunda Nandini, Nagendra said, “Unless you will keep her here, there is no place for her.  Later, when I return home, I will take her to Govindpur with me.”