THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
ever loved and esteemed, and I shall try to make thee happy, as a loving sister may." There was a tremor in Hemlata's voice as she spoke.
Noren's thoughts struggled for utterance. But there were things which he could not say to a wedded wife—the wife of Sirish. "Give me time," he could only say, "to think about this."
"Thou didst not ask for time, Noren, when I asked thee to do a thing for me when I was a girl. Hast thou changed since, or am I not the same?"
"Circumstances have changed, Hemlata, since we were children," coldly replied Noren.
Hemlata's eyes were filled with tears. Noren felt he had treated her coldly, and yet he did not know how to speak his thoughts.
"I have met thee," he said at last, "after nine years, and I would not cause thee a pang, Hemlata. But thou knowest not, thou canst not comprehend the sacrifice which thou dost demand of me."
"A woman knows something of sacrifices," said Hemlata, softly.
"There were some things which I did not wish to speak of to-night, Hemlata, nor wouldst thou understand if I spoke. Thou hast loved me as a sister, but hast never known the tumult of a deeper emotion, the agony of a hopeless feeling, the breaking of a strong heart. Thy pure untainted heart has not felt what I have felt, a woman's soft nature cannot endure what I have endured. Live thou in peace, Hemlata, and let me endure and live apart."
"A woman can endure much, Noren," spoke Hemlata, calmly.
"Thou wilt drive me mad, Hemlata. In thy inno-
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