be
left; he at first stood in silence by his weeping mother, and then,
with his little finger under her chin, he tried to raise her face.
Kamal looked up, but did not speak. Satish, wishing to comfort his
mother, kissed her. Kamal caressed, but did not kiss him, nor did she
speak. Satish put his hand on his mother's throat, crept into her lap,
and began to cry. Except the Creator, who could enter into that
child's heart and discern the cause of his crying?

The unfortunate Srish Chandra, left to his own resources, took some
food to Nagendra, who said: "I do not want food. Sit down, I have much
to say to you; for that I came hither." He then related all that he
had heard from Ram Kristo Rai, and detailed his designs for the
future.

After listening to the narration, Srish Chandra said: "It is
surprising that you should not have met the _Brahmachari_, as it is
only yesterday he left Calcutta for Madhupur in search of you."

"What?" said Nagendra; "how did you meet with the _Brahmachari_?"

"He is a very noble person," answered Srish. "Not receiving a reply to
his letter to you, he went to Govindpur in search of you. There he
learned that his letter would be sent on to Benares. This satisfied
him, and without remark to any one he went on his business to
Purushuttam. Returning thence, he again went to Govindpur. Still
hearing nothing of you, he was informed that I might have news. He
came to me the next day, and I showed him your letter. Yesterday he
started for Govindpur, expecting to meet you last night at Ranigunj."

"I was not at Ranigunj last night," said Nagendra. "Did he tell you
anything of Surja Mukhi?"

"I will tell you all that to-morrow," said Srish.

"You think my suffering will be increased by hearing it. Tell me all,"
entreated Nagendra.

Then Srish Chandra repeated what the _Brahmachari_ had told him of his
meeting Surja Mukhi by the roadside, her illness, medical treatment,
and improvement in health. Omitting many painful details, he concluded
with the words: "Ram Kristo Kai did not relate all that Surja Mukhi
had suffered."

On hearing this, Nagendra rushed out of the house. Srish Chandra would
have gone with him, but Nagendra would not allow it. The wretched man
wandered up and down the road like a madman for hours. He wished to
forget himself in the crowd, but at that time there was no crowd; and
who can forget himself? Then he returned to the house, and sat down
with Srish Chandra, to whom