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 Sundari made no reply. Shaibalini continued, "Hereafter, will not the little girls of our village point me out with their fingers and cry out, 'Look, that woman was taken away by an Englishman'? God forbid it, if I ever have a son, who will dine in my house when invited at his Annaprasan ceremony? If I ever get a daughter, what Brahmin of high lineage will marry his son with her? If I go back now, who will believe that I have not lost my caste? How shall I again appear before society?"

Sundari. You have been fated to this condition and now there is no help for it. Throughout your life, you shall have to endure a little humiliation; but, still you shall be in your own home.

Shaibalini. For what pleasure? In the hope of what enjoyment should I return home to endure so much pain? No father, no mother, no friend—

Sundari. Why, have you not a husband? For whom else is the life of a woman?

Shaibalini. You know everything—

Sundari. Yes, I know. I know that you are the greatest sinner amongst the sinners of this world. Your heart is not contented with the love of a husband, the like of whom is very rare on