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In her mind she thought, "If I tell any one it will be my husband and my baby." After a pause Kunda asked, "What shall I tell you?" "You love my brother dearly, don't you?" Kunda gave no answer. Kamal Mani wept in her heart; aloud she said: "I understand. It is so. Well that does not hurt you, but many others suffer from it."
It was known to all the household that she had gone away in anger. It was also known to some of the neighbours. Nagendra heard that Kunda had gone, but no one told him the reason. He thought to himself, "Kunda has left because she does not think it right to remain in the house after what I said to her. If so, why does she not go with Kamal?" Nagendra's brow was clouded.
Then she rose from the couch and took away the huka. Kamal Mani's fit of sulking thus broken through, she gave Surja Mukhi's letter to be read, by way of explanation saying "Tell me the meaning of this, or I shall cut your pay." "Rather give me next month's pay in advance, then I will explain." Kamal Mani brought her mouth close to that of Srish Chandra, who took the coin he wished.
"It is very unreasonable in Surja Mukhi if she wants her husband's brother-in-law only that he may look after the luggage. I can find some one else to perform that office for a couple of days." Kamal Mani was angry; she frowned, mocked at Srish Chandra, and, snatching the paper on which he was writing out of his hand, tore it to pieces. Srish Chandra, smiling, said, "It serves you right."
He did not venture to ask him to eat; he would leave that task to Kamal. But when Kamal Mani heard that Surja Mukhi was no more, she would undertake no duty. Leaving Satish Chandra, for that night she became invisible. The servants, seeing Kamal Mani bowed to the ground with hair unbound, left Satish and hurried to her.
Surja Mukhi had lost flesh; her figure, formerly straight as a pine, had become bent like a bow; her laughing eyes were sunk; her lily face had lost its roundness. Kamal Mani comprehended that the marriage was accomplished. She inquired, "When was it?" Surja Mukhi answered, "Yesterday." Then the two sat down together, neither speaking. Surja Mukhi hid her face in the other's lap, and wept.
Surja Mukhi spoke in her natural, gentle voice; nevertheless Kamal was astonished at its broken accents. "Bon!!" she exclaimed, "what is in your mind? tell me." "Nothing," replied Surja. "Do not hide it from me," said Kamal. "I have nothing to conceal," said Surja. Pacified, Kamal went to her room. But Surja Mukhi had a purpose to conceal. This Kamal learned in the morning.
I, Kamal Mani, tell you you had better drown yourself. She who can no longer trust her husband had better die." On the course of a short time Nagendra's whole nature was changed. As at eventime, in the hot season, the clear sky becomes suddenly veiled in cloud, so Nagendra's mind became clouded. Surja Mukhi wept secretly. She thought to herself, "I will take Kamal Mani's advice.
Is this love?" Kamal Mani received another letter from Surja Mukhi. It concluded thus: "Come, Kamal Mani, sister; except you I have no friend. Come to me." Kamal Mani was agitated; she could contain herself no longer. She felt that she must consult her husband. Srish Chandra, sitting in the inner apartments, was looking over the office account-books.
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.
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