estiny could be better than mine was? Who so fortunate as
myself? Who ever had such a husband? Beauty, wealth, these are small
matters; but in virtues, whose husband equals mine? Mine was a
splendid destiny; how has it changed thus?"

"That also is destiny," said Kamal.

"Then why do I suffer on this account?"

"But just now you said you were happy in the sight of your husband's
joyous face; yet you speak of suffering so much. Can both be true?"

"Both are true. I am happy in his joy. But that he should thrust me
away; that he has thrust me away, and yet is so glad--"

Surja could say no more, she was choking. But Kamal, understanding the
meaning of her unfinished sentence, said--

"Because of that your heart burns within you; then why do you say,
'What am I?' With half of your heart you still think of your own
rights; else why, having sacrificed yourself, do you repent?"

"I do not repent," replied Surja. "That I have done right I do not
doubt; but in dying there is suffering. I felt that I must give way,
and I did so voluntarily. Still, may I not weep over that suffering
with you?"

Kamal Mani drew Surja Mukhi's head on to her breast; their thoughts
were not expressed by words, but they conversed in their hearts. Kamal
Mani understood the wretchedness of Surja Mukhi; Surja Mukhi
comprehended that Kamal appreciated her suffering. They checked their
sobs and ceased to weep.

Surja Mukhi, setting her own affairs on one side, spoke of others,
desired that Satish Babu should be brought, and talked to him. With
Kamal she spoke long of Srish Chandra and of Satish, of the education
of Satish and of his marriage. Thus they talked until far in the
night, when Surja Mukhi embraced Kamal with much affection, and taking
Satish into her lap kissed him lovingly.

When they came to part, Surja Mukhi was again drowned in tears. She
blessed Satish, saying--

"I wish that thou mayst be rich in the imperishable virtues of thy
mother's brother; I know no greater blessing than this."

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. At dawn she went to Surja
Mukhi's room in search of her; Su