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Updated: May 14, 2025
Kamal Mani had previously gone to Calcutta; therefore of the people mentioned in this narrative, Kunda Nandini alone was left in the Datta mansion, and the servant Hira remained in attendance upon her. Darkness fell on the large household.
He had been drinking, but not heavily; he was quite sensible. His manner to Hira was altogether changed; he paid her no compliments, but said: "I had taken so much that evening that I did not understand what you said. Why did you come that night? it is to know this that I have sent for you. You told me Kunda Nandini sent you, but you did not give her message.
Why hang pearls on a monkey's neck? an iron chain were better." At this Kunda Nandini could not restrain her tears. Slowly rising, she went out of the room. There was no one now to whom she could look for sympathy. Kunda had not sought Kamal Mani since her arrival.
The reader is no doubt much displeased, but in fact the tale is only begun. Of the poison tree the seed only has thus far been sown. The widow Kunda Nandini passed some time in Nagendra's house. One afternoon the whole household of ladies were sitting together in the other division of the house, all occupied according to their tastes in the simple employment of village women.
Kunda could not answer; but Surja Mukhi, seizing her hand, said, "Come, sister, I will not say anything more to you!" and took her indoors. On the night of that day, Debendra Datta, alone, in disguise, excited by wine, went to Hira's house in search of Kunda Nandini. He looked in the two huts, but Kunda was not there. Hira, covering her face with her sari, laughed at his discomfiture.
In that exposed, bitterly cold house, the palm-leaf fan in her hand, Kunda Nandini rested her head upon her arm, more beauteous than the lotus-stalk, and slept; and in her sleep she saw a vision. It seemed as if the night were bright and clear, the sky of a pure blue that glorious blue when the moon is encircled by a halo. Kunda had never seen the halo so large as it seemed in her vision.
Kunda Nandini, raising her head, fixed a steadfast look on the face of Kamal Mani. Kamal, understanding the silent question, replied, "Ah, unhappy one! dost thou not see that my brother loves thee?" Kunda's head again sank on Kamal's breast, which she watered with her tears. Both wept silently for many minutes. What the passion of love is the golden Kamal Mani knew very well.
I cannot give Nandini in exchange for even thy kingdom. Viswamitra replied, 'I am a Kshatriya, but thou art a Brahmana devoted to asceticism and study. Is there any energy in Brahmanas who are peaceful and who have their souls under perfect command?
See, Kunda Nandini! the water is pure, cool, pleasant; will you plunge into it? will you not die? Kunda Nandini did not wish to die. The robber said: "Kunda, will you go to-morrow to Calcutta? Do you go willingly?" Willingly alas! alas! Kunda wiped her eyes, but did not speak. "Kunda, why do you weep? Listen. With much difficulty I have endured so long; I cannot bear it longer.
Imagining herself the one chiefly to blame in the marriage, Kunda had not dared to show herself to Kamal Mani; but now, wounded to the quick, she longed to go to her compassionate, loving friend, who on a former occasion had soothed and shared her grief and wiped away her tears. But now things were altered. When Kamal saw Kunda Nandini approaching she was displeased, but she made no remark.
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