Page:Chandra Shekhar.djvu/303

 gone mad. She first of all, made obeisance to Chandra Shekhar, whose garb of an ascetic surprised her. She then looked at Shaibalini and said to Chandra Shekhar,

"After all, you have done well in bringing her back—everything will be all right, if she would undergo a penance."

But Sundari was astonished to see that, unlike Hindu women, Shaibalini neither moved away nor drew her veil, and began to laugh at Sundari, although her husband, Chandra Shekhar, was there. Sundari thought that it was a fashion which Shaibalini must have learnt from her English companions. So thinking, she went up and took her seat by Shaibalini—but she took every care that even her cloth may not come in contact with that of Shaibalini; for, she had lost her caste. She then said with a smile,

"Look here, can you recognise me?"

"Yes, I can," replied Shaibalini. "You are Parbati."

"What a pity!" exclaimed Sundari. "You have forgotten me so soon?"

"Why should I forget you, dear?" said Shaibalini vacantly. "Don't you remember I beat you