In
three days the flood subsided, and Hira was left in the mud. As the
miser, or the man greedy of fame, having long preserved his treasure,
at the marriage of a son, or some other festival, spends all in one
day's enjoyment, Hira, who had so long preserved her chastity, had now
lost it for a day's delight, and like the ruined miser was left
standing in the path of endless regret.
Abandoned by Debendra, as a boy throws away an unripe mango not to his
taste, Hira at first suffered frightfully. It was not only that she
had been cast adrift by Debendra, but that, having been degraded and
wounded by him, she had sunk to so low a position among women. It was
this she found so unendurable. When, in her last interview, embracing
Debendra's feet, she had said, "Do not cast me off!" he had replied,
"It has only been in the hope of obtaining Kunda Nandini that I have
honoured you so long. If you can secure me her society I will continue
to live with you; otherwise not. I have given you the fitting reward
of your pride; now, with the ink of this stain upon you, you may go
home."
Everything seemed dark around Hira in her anger. When her head ceased
to swim she stood in front of Debendra, her brows knitted, her eyes
inflamed, and as with a hundred tongues she gave vent to her temper.
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