e day during the Dol festival she had thrown a
ball of red powder at her husband; she had missed her aim and struck
the wall, where still the stain was visible. When the room was
finished, Surja Mukhi had written in one spot--

"In the year 1910 of Vikramaditya
This room was prepared
For my Guardian Deity, my husband,
By his servant
SURJA MUKHI."

Nagendra read this inscription repeatedly. He could not satisfy his
desire to read it. Though the tears filled his eyes so that he could
not see, he would not desist. As he read he perceived the light
becoming dim, and found the lamp ready to expire. With a sigh he laid
down; but scarcely had he done so ere the wind began to rage
furiously. The lamp, void of oil, was on the point of extinction, only
a faint spark like that of a firefly remained. In that dim light a
remarkable circumstance occurred. Astonished by the noise of the
shutters, Nagendra looked towards the door near the bed. In that open
doorway, shown by the dim light, a shadowy form appeared. The shape
was that of a woman; but what he saw further made his hair stand on
end, he trembled from head to foot. The woman's face had the features
of Surja Mukhi! Nagendra started to his feet and hastened to the
figure. But the light went out, the form became invisible; with a loud
cry Nagendra fell senseless to the ground.

When Nagendra recovered consciousness thick darkness filled the room.
By degrees he collected his senses. As he remembered what had caused
the swoon, surprise was added to surprise. He had fallen senseless on
the floor, then whence came the pillow on which his head was resting?
Was it a pillow? or was it the lap of some one--of Kunda Nandini?

To solve his doubt he said, "Who are you?" But the supporter of his
head made no reply. Only a hot drop or two fell on his forehead, by
which he understood that the person was weeping. He tried to identify
the person by touch. Suddenly he became quite bewildered; he remained
motionless for some moments, then with labouring breath raised his
head and sat up. The rain had ceased, the clouds had disappeared,
light began to peep into the room. Nagendra rose and seated himself.
He perceived that the woman had also risen, and was slowly making
towards the door. Then Nagendra guessed that it was not Kunda Nandini.
There was not light enough to recognize any one, but something might
be guessed from form and gait. Nagendra studied these for a moment,
t