Chapter Eight

Bimala stood within the cottage of Abhiram Swami. Abhiram Swami was seated on the ground in the posture of meditation. Bimala had been narrating to Abhiram Swami from beginning to end the manner in which she and Tilottama had met with Jagatsingh; when the narration was finished, she said, "It is now fourteen days; tomorrow the fortnight will be complete." Abhiram Swami said, "And what hast thou now resolved?"

Bimala answered, "It is for fitting counsel that I have come to thee."

The Swami said, "Well then, my counsel is this — give this matter no further place in thy mind."

Bimala fell silent, with a countenance very troubled. Abhiram Swami asked, "Wherefore art thou cast down?"

Bimala said, "What will become of Tilottama?"

Abhiram Swami asked in surprise, "How? Hath love truly taken root in Tilottama's heart?"

Bimala was silent for a little while, then said, "How much can I tell thee! For fourteen days and nights I have been watching Tilottama's manner and bearing most attentively; it has come to my mind that a very deep and earnest affection has arisen in her heart."

The Paramahansa smiled slightly and said, "You are women; as soon as you perceive any sign of affection in the heart, you take it for a deep passion. Bimala, do not be anxious for the happiness of Tilottama's mind; she is a girl — it is but the natural disturbance of first meeting that has unsettled her; if the subject be not raised or spoken of, she will soon forget Jagatsingh."

Bimala said, "Nay, nay, my Lord, that is not the sign of it. Within the fortnight Tilottama's very nature has changed! Tilottama no longer laughs and talks with me or with her companions from morning to night as she used to do; Tilottama speaks scarcely at all now; Tilottama's books lie rotting under the bed; Tilottama's flower-plants have withered for want of water; Tilottama takes no more such care of her birds; Tilottama does not eat of her own accord; she does not sleep at night; Tilottama does not adorn herself; Tilottama, who was never given to brooding, now wanders in thought day and night. Tilottama's face has grown dark and hollow."

Abhiram Swami listened and was still. After a moment he said, "I was of the belief that a deep affection could not spring up at a single meeting; yet a woman's heart — and a girl's heart above all — God alone knoweth. But what is to be done? Birendra will not consent to this match."

Bimala said, "That is the very fear that has prevented me from so much as hinting at the matter thus far, and it was for that reason I did not even reveal who Jagatsingh was in the temple. But now, if Singhji" — at these words a slight change passed over Bimala's face — "now, if Singhji has made alliance with Mansingh, what harm is there in taking Jagatsingh as a son-in-law?"

Ab. But why should Mansingh consent?

Bi. No matter — the prince is his own master.

Ab. And why should Jagatsingh wed the daughter of Birendrasingh?

Bi. There is no fault of birth or lineage on either side; the ancestors of Jaidhar Singh too were of the Yadu line.

Ab. Shall a daughter of the Yadu line become the bride of a Muslim's nephew?

Bimala looked steadily at the ascetic and said, "And wherefore not? Is any branch of the Yadu line contemptible?"

At these words, fire flashed from the eyes of the Paramahansa in anger; in a harsh voice he said, "Wretched woman! Hast thou not forgotten thine own miserable fate? Begone!"