only a faint spark like that of a firefly remained.  In that dim light a remarkable circumstance occurred.  Astonished by the noise of the shutters, Nagendra looked towards the door near the bed.  In that open doorway, shown by the dim light, a shadowy form appeared.  The shape was that of a woman; but what he saw further made his hair stand on end, he trembled from head to foot.  The woman’s face had the features of Surja Mukhi!  Nagendra started to his feet and hastened to the figure.  But the light went out, the form became invisible; with a loud cry Nagendra fell senseless to the ground.

When Nagendra recovered consciousness thick darkness filled the room.  By degrees he collected his senses.  As he remembered what had caused the swoon, surprise was added to surprise.  He had fallen senseless on the floor, then whence came the pillow on which his head was resting?  Was it a pillow? or was it the lap of some one—­of Kunda Nandini?

To solve his doubt he said, “Who are you?” But the supporter of his head made no reply.  Only a hot drop or two fell on his forehead, by which he understood that the person was weeping.  He tried to identify the person by touch.  Suddenly he became quite bewildered; he remained motionless for some moments, then with labouring breath raised his head and sat up.  The rain had ceased, the clouds had disappeared, light began to peep into the room.  Nagendra rose and seated himself.  He perceived that the woman had also risen, and was slowly making towards the door.  Then Nagendra guessed that it was not Kunda Nandini.  There was not light enough to recognize any one, but something might be guessed from form and gait.  Nagendra studied these for a moment, then falling at the feet of the standing figure, in troubled tones he said—­

“Whether thou art a god or a human being, I am at thy feet; speak to me, or I shall die!”

What the woman said he could not understand, but no sooner had the sound of her voice entered his ear than he sprang to his feet and tried to grasp the form.  But mind and body again became benumbed, and, like the creeper from the tree, he sank at the feet of the enchantress; he could not speak.  Again the woman, sitting down, took his head upon her lap.  When Nagendra once more recovered from stupor it was day.  The birds were singing in the adjacent garden.  The rays of the newly risen sun were shining into the room.  Without raising his eyes Nagendra said—­

“Kunda, when did you come?  This whole night I have been dreaming of Surja Mukhi.  In my dream I saw myself with my head on Surja Mukhi’s lap.  If you could be Surja Mukhi, how joyful it would be!”

The woman answered, “If it would delight you so much to see that unhappy being, then I am she.”

Nagendra started up, wiped his eyes, sat holding his temples, again rubbed his eyes and gazed; then bowing his head, he said in a low voice—­

“Am I demented, or is Surja Mukhi living?  Is this the end of my destiny, that I should go mad?”