"Who do you want, sir," they both inquired at once.
"I want to see your master," said Nishakar.
"What name, sir?" asked Sona.
"You need mention no name," he said. "Only tell your master that there is a gentleman at the door, who desires an interview with him."
The master had expressly told his servants that he did not wish to see any gentleman, so they were not very willing to carry the message. Sona was rather afraid and knew not what answer to make; but Rupa was brave and said, "I am afraid, sir, master will not receive you unless you have an appointment."
"That's none of your concern, my friend. Will you go and tell your master that there is a gentleman downstairs wanting to see him?"
Rupa was silent.
"Well, if you will not," said Nishakar, "I think I will go upstairs and introduce myself."
"Oh, don't, sir, pray. That will lose us our places," said both the servants appealingly, rather alarmed.
"Here is a rupee," said Nishakar. "I will give it to either of you who will bear the message to his master."
Sona certainly felt the temptation; but before he could make up his mind to accept the reward offered by the gentleman, Rupa, who was more clever and less scrupulous than his companion, was quick to anticipate him. He moved up very quickly and held out his hand to receive the gift. When he had secured the rupee in the folds of his cloth he leisurely walked upstairs to deliver the message to his master.
When Rupa had gone Nishakar put another rupee into Sona's hand and said, "Mind you let me know what your master says. I shall be waiting outside in the garden."
When Rupa went upstairs the master was engaged, and he had had to wait before he could deliver the message. As Nishakar walked up and down the garden, a beautiful young woman was standing at a window above, watching him.
Rohini, for it was she who was at the window, wondered in her mind where the gentleman was from, and what he could want with Gobindalal. It did not seem to her that he belonged to Haridragram, for, if he did, she ought to have seen him before. But he was certainly a very handsome man, she thought. His gait—how easy and graceful. His complexion, she must confess, was not very fair—not so fair as Gobindalal's; yet his eyes—were they not quite killing? Why should she not talk to him? What harm was there if she really meant to remain faithful to Gobindalal?
As she was occupied with these thoughts, Nishakar, as he walked up and down, happened to look up, and his eyes met Rohini's. Whether the exchange of looks had conveyed to each other any secret message we are unable to say, but Rohini thought he was a man to know, and she must know him.
Just at this time, finding the master was disengaged Rupa approached him and said, "There is a gentleman downstairs asking to see master."
"Where is he from?" asked the master.
"Please, sir, I do not know."
"So you have come to tell me there is a gentleman downstairs without knowing where he is from?"
Rupa did not wish his master to think him a fool, and he had the presence of mind to say, "I asked him, sir, but he would not tell me."
"Tell him then I cannot see him," said the master.
A little before the message was delivered, Rohini, having occasion to go to the window, had accidentally seen Nishakar walking in the garden.
It was late; and neither of the servants turning up Nishakar was impatient and re-entered the house. There was no one downstairs. He would not wait any longer, and he mounted the stairs to introduce himself. He had just reached the door of the room when Rupa said, "Here is the gentleman, master." Nishakar quietly stepped into the room and sat down uninvited.
The music stopped. Gobindalal was greatly vexed; but seeing that the visitor was a gentleman, he suppressed his feelings and said, "Who do you want, sir?"
"My business is with yourself," said Nishakar.
"With me? Your name, please?"
"Rashbehari De."
"Where do you come from?"
"Baranagar."
"Sir, if you had the patience to wait instead of intruding into my room, you
