here may remain something to create a lasting love; if that
is so, you will be able to make yourself happy with her; and should
you not again see your elder wife you may forget her, especially as
the younger one loves you. Be not careless about love; for in love is
man's only spotless and imperishable joy, the final means by which his
nature can be elevated. Without love man could not dwell in this world
that he has made so evil."

Nagendra Natha's reply:

"I have not answered your letter until now because of the trouble of
my mind. I understand all you have written, and I know your counsel is
good. But I cannot resolve to stay at home. A month ago my Surja Mukhi
left me, and I have had no news of her. I design to follow her; I
will wander from place to place in search of her. If I find her I
will bring her home, otherwise I shall not return. I cannot remain
with Kunda Nandini; she has become a pain to my eyes. It is not her
fault, it is mine, but I cannot endure to see her face. Formerly I
said nothing to her, but now I am perpetually finding fault with her.
She weeps--what can I do? I shall soon be with you."

As Nagendra wrote so he acted. Placing the care of everything in the
hands of the _Dewan_ during his temporary absence, he set forth on his
wanderings. 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. As a brilliantly-lighted,
densely-crowded dancing-hall, resounding with song and music, becomes
dark, silent, and empty when the performance is over, so that immense
household became when abandoned by Surja Mukhi and Nagendra Natha.

As a child, having played for a day with a gaily painted doll, breaks
and throws it away, and by degrees, earth accumulating, grass springs
over it, so Kunda Nandini, abandoned by Nagendra Natha, remained
untended and alone amid the crowd of people in that vast house.

As when the forest is on fire the nests of young birds are consumed in
the flames, and the mother-bird bringing food, and seeing neither
tree, nor nest, nor young ones, with cries of anguish whirls in
circles round the fire seeking her nest, so did Nagendra wander from
place to place in search of Surja Mukhi.

As in the fathomless depths of the boundless ocean, a jewel having
fallen cannot again be seen, so Surja Mukhi was l