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 haughtily, "I would have done that—I refrained from it only because it is a great sin to kill a woman; but for you death is better than life."

Shaibalini wept. Checking her tears a little after, she said, "True it is that death is preferable to life in my case—let people say what they like, but you should not say so. Who has reduced me to this woeful condition? You. Who has made my life dark and gloomy? It is you Pratap. For whom have I, being disappointed in my pleasant hopes, become so reckless? For you. For whom am I so miserable? For you alone. Again, for whom could I not like my home and live a steady domestic life? It is only for you Pratap. You should not rebuke me."

Pratap. I scold you because you are a sinner. You make me responsible for your evil deeds! God knows, I am not guilty of any sin. He knows that of late I used to dread you as a serpent and I have all along kept myself out of your path. I deserted Bedagram in fear of your venom. Sin is in your heart and in your sentiments.—you have fallen from grace and so you blame me. What harm have I done you?

"What harm have you done?" roared out