am, in whatever direction you look you will see the sky studded
with stars--from endless ages ever-burning stars, resting never.
Below, a second sky reflected in the deep blue water; on shore,
flights of steps, and tall houses showing a thousand lights; these
again reflected in the river. Seeing this, Nagendra closed his eyes.
To-night he could not endure the beauty of earth. He knew that Siva
Prasad's letter had been delayed many days. Where was Surja Mukhi
now?

CHAPTER XXIX.

HIRA'S POISON TREE HAS BLOSSOMED.

On the day when the _durwans_ had driven out Debendra Babu with
bamboos, Hira had laughed heartily within herself. But later she had
felt much remorse. She thought, "I have not done well to disgrace him;
I know not how much I have angered him. Now I shall have no place in
his thoughts; all my hopes are destroyed."

Debendra also was occupied in devising a plan of vengeance upon Hira
for the punishment she had caused to be inflicted on him. At last he
sent for Hira, and after one or two days of doubt she came. Debendra
showed no displeasure, and made no allusion to what had occurred.
Avoiding that, he entered into pleasant conversation with her. As the
spider spreads his net for the fly, so Debendra spread his net for
Hira.

In the hope of obtaining her desire, Hira easily fell into the snare.
Intoxicated with Debendra's sweet words, she was imposed upon by his
crafty speech. She thought, "Surely this is love! Debendra loves me."

Hira was cunning, but now her cunning did not serve her. The power
which the ancient poets describe as having been used to disturb the
meditations of Siva, who had renounced passion--by that power Hira had
lost her cunning.

Then Debendra took his guitar, and, stimulated by wine, began to sing.
His rich and cultivated voice gave forth such honied waves of song,
that Hira was as one enchanted. Her heart became restless, and melted
with love of Debendra. Then in her eyes Debendra seemed the perfection
of beauty, the essence of all that was adorable to a woman. Her eyes
overflowed with tears springing from love.

Putting down his guitar, Debendra wiped away her tears. Hira shivered.
Then Debendra began such pleasant jesting, mingled with loving
speeches, and adorned his conversation with such ambiguous phrases,
that Hira, entranced, thought, "This is heavenly joy!" Never had she
heard such words. If her senses had not been bewildered she would have
thought, "This is hel