Hira shivered.
Then Debendra began such pleasant jesting, mingled with loving
speeches, and adorned his conversation with such ambiguous phrases,
that Hira, entranced, thought, "This is heavenly joy!" Never had she
heard such words. If her senses had not been bewildered she would have
thought, "This is hell."
Debendra had never known real love; but he was very learned in the
love language of the old poets. Hearing from Debendra songs in praise
of the inexpressible delights of love, Hira thought of giving herself
up to him. She became steeped in love from head to foot. Then again
Debendra sang with the voice of the first bird of spring. Hira,
inspired by love, joined in with her feminine voice. Debendra urged
her to sing. Hira, with sparkling eyes and smiling face, impelled by
her happy feelings, sang a love song, a petition for love. Then,
sitting in that evil room, with sinful hearts, the two, under the
influence of evil desires, bound themselves to live in sin.
Hira knew how to subdue her heart, but having no inclination to do so
she entered the flame as easily as an insect. Her belief that Debendra
did not love her had been her protection until now.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177