THE JASMINE BRACELET
the remainder of her life in devotions, for my father is dead. I am alone on earth," said Hemlata, with a sob. "Nay, not alone, for my noble husband helps me to bear my bereavement, and sister Saibalini is a soul of truth and of love. And thou, Noren, wilt come with us to Bengal, and wilt often be with us, wilt thou not?"
Noren was silent. To refuse that gentle, weeping woman's request would be cruelty; to return to Bengal with her was more than Noren had courage to do. "Be happy, Hemlata," he said at last, "in thy home and amidst thy duties. Mine may call me elsewhere."
"Nay, thy work as a soldier has ended, and a home and loving friends await thee at Birnagar."
"Birnagar was my home, Hemlata. I scarcely know if it is mine yet."
"It is thy home, Noren. My husband has carefully guarded thy property as his own, and the Emperor of Agra, so I have heard, has passed his royal orders to restore thy ancestral estate to thee."
"The Emperor has ever been most gracious, and thy husband has been more than a brother to me. I misjudged him once. I did him wrong; he has forgiven me nobly and served me kindly and faithfully. Would I were worthier of his kindness, that I could return his kindness!" Noren could say no more to Sirish's wife, but it was gall and wormwood to him that the man he could have struck down on the spot in his jealous rage was his best friend and benefactor on earth.
"Return his kindness then by coming with us to Bengal. He will rejoice to meet one whom he has
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