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 red rubies of our hearts, and the pearl pendants of our tear-drops.

‘At first Bhusan did not trouble about his wife’s absence. He thought that if she wanted to come back she would do so. His old Brahman steward, however, came to him, and said: “What good will come of taking no notice of it? You ought to get some news of the mistress.” Acting on this suggestion, messengers were sent to Mani’s father’s house. The news was brought that up to that time neither Mani nor Modhu had turned up there.

‘Then a search began in every direction. Men went along both banks of the river making inquiries. The police were given a description of Modhu, but all in vain. They were unable to find out what boat they had taken, what boatman they had hired, or by what way they had gone.

‘One evening, when all hope had been abandoned of ever finding his wife, Bhusan entered his deserted bedroom. It was the festival of Krishna’s birth, and it had been raining incessantly from early morning. In celebration of the festival there was a fair going on in the village, and in a temporary building a theatrical performance was being given. The sound of distant singing could be heard mingling with the sound of pouring rain. Bhusan P