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To find this out, Hira had come to Debendra's house; only Hira would have had courage for such a deed. She now said: "What is my purpose? To day a thief entered the Datta's house and committed a robbery I have come to seize the robber." Hearing this, the Babu said: "It is true I went to steal; but, Hira, I went not to steal jewels or pearls, but to seek flowers and fruits." "What flower? Kunda?"
The wealth to gain which she had sold her precious jewel was but a broken shell; for such love as Debendra's is like the bore in the river, as muddy as transient. In three days the flood subsided, and Hira was left in the mud.
During the first year after Kunda's death, Debendra's summons came. Two or three days before his death, as he lay on his bed without power to rise, there suddenly arose a great noise at the door. In answer to Debendra's inquiries, the servant said, "A mad woman wants to see you, sir; she will not be forbidden." He gave orders that she should be admitted. The woman appeared.
Soon after that, some kind of festival was held in Debendra's house, and a little girl was sent thence to Kunda to invite her attendance. But Surja Mukhi hearing of this, forbade her to accept the invitation, and she did not go. Later, Debendra again going to Tara Charan's house, had an interview with Kunda.
Annoyed, Debendra said, "Why do you laugh?" "At your disappointment. The bird has fled; should you search my premises you will not find it." Then, in reply to Debendra's questions, Hira told all she knew, concluding with the words, "When I missed her in the morning I sought her everywhere, and at last found her in the Babu's house receiving much kindness."
Debendra made it perform a sort of accompaniment to his voice, as he sang some song in accordance with his mood. Hira's eyes shone yet more brilliantly. For a few moments she forgot self, forgot Debendra's position and her own. She thought, "He is the husband, I am the wife; the Creator, making us for each other, designed long ago to bring us together, that we might both enjoy happiness."
Hira was not thinking of wealth; even had she done so, money obtained from Kunda would have been as poison to her. Hira was able to endure the pain of her own unsatisfied passion, but she could not bear Debendra's passion for Kunda. It was not from a desire to secure the welfare of Kunda Nandini that Hira conceived this design.
Debendra said, "What, are you now also in the troop of old fools? Why do you not introduce us to your wife?" Tara Charan was covered with shame; he could not escape from Debendra's banter and taunts. He consented to allow Debendra to make the acquaintance of his wife. Then fear arose lest Surja Mukhi should be displeased.
Many a time Hira's virtue and good name would have been endangered by passion, but that Debendra's character for sensuality without love came to her mind and proved a safeguard. Hira had great power of self-control, and it was through this power that she, though not very virtuous, had hitherto easily preserved her chastity.
Debendra's father had sought in one way to restore the fallen fortunes of his house. Another zemindar, named Ganesh, dwelt in the Haripur district; he had one unmarried daughter, Hembati, who was given to Debendra in marriage. Hembati had many virtues; she was ugly, ill-tempered, unamiable, selfish. Up to the time of his marriage with her, Debendra's character had been without stain.
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