"
In low tones Kunda said, "After that?"
"I intended to kill myself. I bought some poison, but afterwards I
thought, 'Why should I die for another?' so I have kept the poison in
a box."
Hira brought from the corner of the room a box in which she kept the
treasures received as rewards from her employers, and also what she
got by less fair means. Opening it, she showed the poison to Kunda,
who eyed it as a cat does cream. Then Hira, leaving the box open as
though from absence of mind, began to console Kunda. At this moment,
suddenly, in the early dawn, sounds of happiness and rejoicing were
heard in the household. Hira darted forth in astonishment. The
ill-fated Kunda Nandini seized the opportunity to steal the poison
from the box.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE CATASTROPHE.
Hira could not at first understand the cause of the joyous sounds she
heard. She saw in one of the large rooms all the women of the house,
the boys and the girls surrounding some one and making a great noise.
Of the person surrounded, Hira could see nothing but the hair, which
Kousalya and the other attendants were dressing with scented oil and
arranging becomingly. Of the by-standers encircling them some were
laughing, some weeping, some talking, some uttering blessings.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218