t of trust in her,
and continually scolded and insulted her. Kunda was of a very peaceful
disposition; though rendered ill by Hira's conduct she said nothing to
her. Kunda's nature was calm, Hira's passionate. Thus Kunda, though
the master's wife, submitted as if she were a dependant; Hira lorded
it over her as if she were the mistress. Sometimes the other ladies of
the house, seeing Kunda suffer, scolded Hira, but they could not stand
before Hira's eloquence.

The _Dewan_ hearing of her doings, said to Hira: "Go away; I dismiss
you."

Hira replied, with flaming eyes: "Who are you to dismiss me? I was
placed here by the master, and except at his command I will not go. I
have as much power to dismiss you as you have to dismiss me."

The _Dewan_, fearing further insult, said not another word. Except
Surja Mukhi, no one could rule Hira.

One day, after the departure of Nagendra, Hira was lying alone in the
creeper-covered summer-house in the flower-garden near to the women's
apartments. Since it had been abandoned by Surja Mukhi and Nagendra,
Hira had taken possession of this summer-house. It was evening, an
almost full moon shone in the heavens. Her rays shining through the
branches of the trees fell on the white marble, and danced upon the
wind-moved waters of the _talao_ close by. The air was filled with the
intoxicating perfume of the scented shrubs. There is nothing in nature
so intoxicating as flower-perfumed air. Hira suddenly perceived the
figure of a man in a grove of trees; a second glance showed it to be
Debendra. He was not disguised, but wore his own apparel.

Hira exclaimed in astonishment: "You are very bold, sir; should you be
discovered you will be beaten!"

"Where Hira is, what cause have I for fear?" Thus saying, Debendra sat
down by Hira, who, after a little silent enjoyment this pleasure,
said--

"Why have you come here? You will not be able to see her whom you
hoped to see."

"I have already attained my hope. I came to see you."

Hira, not deceived by the sweet, flattering words she coveted, said
with a laugh: "I did not know I was destined to such pleasure; still,
since it has befallen me, let us go where I can satisfy myself by
beholding you without interruption. Here there are many obstacles."

"Where shall we go?" said Debendra.

"Into that summer-house; there we need fear nothing."

"Do not fear for me."

"If there is nothing to fear for you, there is for me. If I am seen
with y