Page:Kapalkundala (1919).djvu/59

54 autumnal river sheening and shimmering under the gentlest sigh of a wind and the graceful rippling spread out the charms in all their shifting colours and contours.

Nabokumar with eager eyes was gazing upon this glorious form with all the changing shades of beauties. The fair creature caught sight of Nabakumar's hard stare and watchful speculating eyes. "What do you look into intently?" asked she "My beauty?"

Nabokumar was gentle-born. He felt awkward and hung down his head in shame.

Seeing him silent, she archly remarked "Have you not ever seen a woman?—Or you think me an extraordinary beauty?"

Naturally, this might have amounted to a reproach. But the radiant smile that accompanied the words, took off the biting sting. So it savoured more of a jest than anything else. Nabokumar saw her tongue had sharp edges. hen why should he not reply her sharp remark ?

"I have seen many a woman” answered he "but never such a beautiful one."

The woman boastfully asked "Not a single one?"

The soft sweet charms of Kapalkundala floated before Nabokumar's mind, and, he, too, proudly returned "Not a single one! No—I can never say that."

"So far so good" rejoined the woman. "Is she your wife?"