Let it go!  I shall drown myself.  If I were to do that what would happen?  To-morrow I should float on the water; all would hear of it.  Nagendra—­again I say it, Nagendra; if Nagendra heard of it what would he say?  It will not do to drown myself; my body would swell, I should look ugly if he should see me!  Can I take poison?  What poison?  Where should I get it?  Who would bring it for me?  Could I take it?  I could, but not to-day.  Let me please myself with the thought that he loves me.  Is it true?  Kamal Didi said so; but how can she know it? my conscience will not let me ask.  Does he love me?  How does he love me?  What does he love—­my beauty or me?  Beauty? let me see.”  She went to examine the reflection of her face in the water, but, failing to see anything, returned to her former place.  “It cannot be; why do I think of that?  Surja Mukhi is more beautiful than I. Haro Mani, Bishu, Mukta, Chandra, Prasunna, Bama, Pramada, are all more beautiful.  Even Hira is more beautiful; yes, notwithstanding her dark complexion, her face is more beautiful.  Then if it is not beauty, is it disposition?  Let me think.  I can’t find any attraction in myself.  Kamal said it to satisfy me.  Why should he love me?  Yet why should Kamal try to flatter me?  Who knows?  But I will not die; I will think of that.  Though it is false I will ponder over it; I will think that true which is false.  But I cannot go to Calcutta; I should not see him.  I cannot, cannot go; yet if not, what shall I do?  If Kamal’s words are true, then those who have done so much for me are being made to suffer through me.  I can see that there is something in Surja Mukhi’s mind.  True or false I will have to go; but I cannot!  Then I must drown myself.  If I must die I will die!  Oh, my father! did you leave me here to such a fate?” Then Kunda, putting her hands to her face, gave way to weeping.  Suddenly the vision flashed into her mind; she started as if at a flash of lightning.  “I had forgotten it all,” she exclaimed.  “Why had I forgotten it?  My mother showed me my destiny, and bade me evade it by ascending to the stars.  Why did I not go?  Why did I not die?  Why do I delay now?  I will delay no longer.”  So saying, she began slowly to descend the steps.  Kunda was but a woman, timid and cowardly; at each step she feared, at each step she shivered.  Nevertheless she proceeded slowly with unshaken purpose to obey her mother’s command.  At this moment some one from behind touched her very gently on the shoulder.  Some one said, “Kunda!” Kunda looked round.  In the darkness she at once recognized Nagendra.  Kunda thought no more that day of dying.

[Footnote 9:  Talao—­usually rendered “tank” in English; but the word scarcely does justice to these reservoirs, which with their handsome flights of steps are quite ornamental.]