Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/215

 ‘As he watched them, the stars one by one disappeared. From the sky above, and from the earth beneath, screens of darkness met like tired eyelids upon weary eyes. To-night Bhusan’s mind was full of peace. He felt certain that the moment had come when his heart’s desire would be fulfilled, and that Death would reveal his mysteries to his devotee.

‘The sound came from the river ghât just as on the previous nights and advanced up the steps. Bhusan closed his eyes, and sat in deep meditation. The sound reached the empty hall. It came winding up the spiral stairs. Then it crossed the long veranda, and paused for a long while at the bedroom door.

‘Bhusan’s heart beat fast; his whole body trembled. But this time he did not open his eyes. The sound crossed the threshold. It entered the room. Then it went slowly round the room, stopping before the rack where the clothes were hanging, the niche with its little lamp, the table where the dried betel leaves were lying, the almirah with its various knick-knacks, and, last of all, it came and stood close to Bhusan himself.

‘Bhusan opened his eyes. He saw by the faint light of the crescent moon that there was a skeleton