ing in the midst of the village in the broad light of day trying to lure a widowed girl of respectable parentage from her home into the streets—was this curious chapter to be added to his biography;—while yet he had a mother, a wife and still belonged to society!
Finding Mahendra standing silent, the old woman flew into a rage and said: "If you must go, get away at once and don't be loitering about the entrance to my house." With this she slammed the door on them and bolted it from within.
Bereft of all her possessions, fasting and untidy, Binodini stepped into the carriage. When Mahendra would have followed her in she said: "The Railway Station is not a long way off. You had better walk."
"All the village will stare at me," said Mahendra.
"Have you any sense of shame left?" remarked Binodini as she asked the coachman to start.
"Isn't the gentleman coming?" asked the coachman.
Mahendra hesitated but dared not. The carriage drove off. Mahendra walked along towards the station with bowed head and leaving the main road went round the outskirts of the village. By this time the village women had finished their bath and midday meal. Only a few elderly dames who spent a longer time over their daily duties than the others could be seen going through the shady mango groves, with their towels and toilet accessories, to the secluded steps of the bathing tank.
XXXIX
Alarmed at Mahendra's sudden disappearance Rajlakshmi could neither eat nor sleep. And while old Sadhu in his attempts to comfort her was engaged in hunting about for him in all sorts of possible and impossible places, Mahendra returned to Calcutta with Binodini and leaving her at his rooms near the college arrived at the house in the evening.
Entering his mother's room Mahendra found it almost dark with the light of the lamp screened off. Rajlakshmi looked ill and was lying on the bed while Asha was gently rubbing her limbs. At last the daughter had secured her rightful place at the mother's feet. Asha started up as Mahendra came in, and left the room. Mahendra overcoming his hesitation with an effort said, "I find, mother, I can't conveniently study at home, so I'm going to live in the rooms I've taken near the College."
Rajlakshmi pointed to the foot of her bed as she said, "Sit down, Mahin."
Mahendra sat down awkwardly. "Stay where you like," Rajlakshmi then replied, "but don't give pain to my little Mother."
Mahendra was silent. Rajlakshmi continued: "It was my evil fate that I knew not what an angel my little mother is. But how could you," she went on greatly moved, "after knowing her so long and loving her so well, how could you bring her to such a plight!"
Mahendra felt as if he wanted to run away but could not muster up courage enough to make a sudden move. He sat silent at the foot of his mother's bed.
After a long silence Rajlakshmi asked: "You're here for to-night at least?"
Mahendra.—"No"
Rajlakshmi.—"When will you be going?"
Mahendra.—"Just now."
"Now!" exclaimed Rajlakshmi as she raised herself with difficulty and sat up. "Won't you even talk nicely to your wife before you go? Can't you even imagine," she continued as Mahendra made no reply, "what these last days and nights have meant for my little mother! O heartless boy, your cruelty is breaking my heart!" Rajlakshmi fell back like a lopped bough.
Mahendra got up from the bed and left his mother, going with silent steps to his own room upstairs. He did not relish the idea of coming across Asha. But as soon as he was up he saw her lying streched on the shaded balcony in front of his room. She had not heard him coming and started up at his sudden appearance, adjusting her disarranged drapery. Had Mahendra once called: "Chuni!" she would have taken all Mahendra's blame on herself and have cried the cry of her life at his feet. But Mahendra could not bring her pet name to his lips. Wish as he might, try as he could, grieved as he felt, he could not forget that to caress Asha to-night would be an empty mockery. What would avail his lip-consolation when with his own hands he had closed for ever the door of escape from Binodini.
Asha sat there dying for very shame. She felt it equally impossible to stand up or go away or attempt any sort of movement. Mahendra went out on to the
