Chapter Thirteen

In the Palanquin

Now hear what became of the ornaments. Motibibi sent over an ivory casket bound with silver in which to keep them. The robbers had taken but little of her goods — only what was close at hand; further than that they had got nothing.

Nabakumar left one or two of the ornaments upon Kapalkundala's person and put the greater part into the casket. The next morning at dawn Motibibi set forth toward Burdwan, and Nabakumar with his wife toward Saptagram. Nabakumar set Kapalkundala into the palanquin and placed the casket of ornaments beside her. The bearers easily outstripped Nabakumar and went on ahead. Kapalkundala, opening the door of the palanquin, was looking about her on every side as she went. A beggar, catching sight of her, fell to begging and went along with the palanquin.

Kapalkundala said, "I have nothing; what shall I give thee?"

The beggar, pointing his finger at the few ornaments that were on Kapalkundala's person, said, "How is this, mother? Thou hast diamonds and pearls upon thee — and thou hast nothing?"

Kapalkundala asked, "If thou shouldst have the ornaments, wilt thou be content?"

The beggar was somewhat astonished. The beggar's hopes know no limit. After a moment he said, "Shall I not be?"

With a guileless heart Kapalkundala put all the ornaments, casket and all, into the hand of the beggar. The ornaments upon her body also she took off and gave him.

The beggar was for a moment confounded. The serving-folk knew nothing of it. The beggar's bewilderment was but momentary. At once, looking this way and that, he took the ornaments and fled at the topmost of his breath. Kapalkundala thought, "Why does the beggar run?"