If I have been able with my own
eyes to see him so happy, has not my life answered its purpose? What
joy could I hope for in denying happiness to him? He for whom I would
die rather than see him unhappy for a single hour; him I saw day and
night suffering anguish, ready to abandon all joys and become a
wanderer--what happiness would have remained to me? I said to him, 'My
lord, your joy is my joy! Do you marry Kunda; I shall be happy.' And
so he married her."
"And are you happy?" asked Kamal.
"Why do you still ask about me? what am I? If I had ever seen my
husband hurt his foot by walking on a stony path, I should have
reproached myself that I had not laid my body down over the stones
that he might have stepped upon me."
Surja Mukhi remained some moments silent, her dress drenched with her
tears. Suddenly raising her face, she asked--
"Kamal, in what country are females destroyed at birth?"
Kamal understanding her thought, replied--
"What does it matter in what country it happens? it is according to
destiny."
"Whose destiny could be better than mine was? Who so fortunate as
myself? Who ever had such a husband? Beauty, wealth, these are small
matters; but in virtues, whose husband equals mine? Mine was a
splendid destiny; how has it changed thus?"
"That also is destiny," said Kamal.
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