the face for a time, but could not understand anything. All on a sudden Shaibalini burst into a fearful scream—she cried out in a piteous voice,
"My lord, save me—save me from the impending danger! You are my husband and my protector; who else can save me if you do not come to my help?" Immediately, as she concluded, Shaibalini fainted, and fell on the ground.
Chandra Shekhar fetched water from the nearest spring and began to sprinkle it on Shaibalini's face—he also began to fan her by means of his sheet. A little after, Shaibalini regained her consciousness—she sat up, and began to weep in silence. Chandra Shekhar then asked,
"What have you been seeing all this time?"
"The hell!" replied Shaibalini briefly, in a fear-stricken voice.
Chandra Shekhar felt that Shaibalini had been suffering from the tortures of hell, though alive. After a while Shaibalini said,
"I cannot make up my mind to die—I am awfully afraid of hell. The moment my life will be out, I shall be thrown into that horrible region of torture. Anyhow I must live; but how can I live alone for twelve long years? Oh, the hideous
203
