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Updated: May 13, 2025
Such were Nagendra's thoughts as he was borne on in his palanquin; its doors were open, the night was lightened by the October moon, stars shone in the sky. The telegraph-wires by the wayside hummed in the wind; but on that night not even a star could seem beautiful in the eyes of Nagendra, even the moonlight seemed harsh. All things seemed to give pain. The earth was cruel.
At midnight, when all the household had retired, Nagendra went to Surja Mukhi's chamber, not to lie down, but to weep. Surja Mukhi's room was spacious and beautiful; it was the temple of all Nagendra's joys, therefore he had adorned it with care. The room was wide and lofty, the floor inlaid with white and black marble, the walls painted in floral designs, blue, yellow, and red.
Market-boats sail along at good speed on their own behalf; ferry-boats creep along at elephantine pace to serve the needs of others only: cargo boats make no progress at all that is the owners' concern. On the third day of Nagendra's journey clouds arose and gradually covered the sky. The river became black, the tree-tops drooped, the paddy birds flew aloft, the water became motionless.
Above the parapet, in its centre, an enormous clay lion, with dependent mane, hung out its red tongue. This was Nagendra's boita khana. On both sides of the gate were the doorkeepers' lodges. The large hall of worship formed one side of the puja mahal; on the other three sides were two-storied houses. No one lived in this mahal.
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 he remembered the Brahman's curse, and knowing that it was the cause of all his misfortunes he endeavoured to make some reparation; but the holy man was not to be found. One evening he fell into a deep slumber from which he never awoke, leaving a wife and several helpless children in comparative penury. A Roland for His Oliver. Nagendra's soul was not haunted by any such ambitions.
"What are you talking about?" asked Nagendra. "I cannot tell you for shame." Nagendra's brow became dark. He said: "Go home for to-day; I will call you to-morrow." Hira's desire was accomplished. With this design she had quarrelled with Kousalya. Nagendra rose and went to Surja Mukhi. Stepping lightly, Hira followed him. Taking Surja Mukhi aside, he asked, "Have you dismissed Hira?"
Afraid to oppose him, he consented to speak, and Nagendra's face relaxed. He began "Walking slowly from Govindpur, Surja Mukhi came first in this direction." "What distance did she walk daily?" interrupted Nagendra. "Two or three miles." "She did not take a farthing from home; how did she live?"
In due time Surja Mukhi satisfied Nagendra's inquiries, saying "I did not die. What the Kabiraj said of my dying was not true. He did not know. When I had become strong through his treatment, I was extremely anxious to come to Govindpur to see you. I teased the Brahmachari till he consented to take me. On arriving here, we learned you were not in the place.
These three were the outer mahals. Behind these came the three inner ones. The inner mahal behind the kacheri bari was for Nagendra's private use. In that only himself, his wife, and their personal attendants were allowed; also the furniture for their use. This place was new, built by Nagendra himself, and very well arranged.
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