Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/102

Tales of Bengal Standing in front of me, was a figure clad in crimson Benares silk, and I could see the glitter of gold and jewels through the fine transparent cloth. Though she stood with her back to me, I knew who she was. But why had the queen condescended to honour the poor man's house?

Surama had not seen me. As she reached the door of Probodh's room, the servant girl who accompanied her, cried out, "Where is the mistress of the house? Our Rani-mother has come to see the bride."

Our only maid-servant hurried out and said: "Come in, mother, please come in. Our mistress has just gone to evening worship at the temple of Kalee. Please to come in and take a seat." My little sister Tara, too, came out to welcome the honoured guest. As soon as they entered the room, I hastily fled to mine, which was the very next one. I could not understand the meaning of Surama's presence.

Suddenly I heard Surama's voice, telling her own maid to leave the room. The maid went out and with her went our maid too. They went and sat in the kitchen, and began to gossip. Again Surama spoke. So bitter and wild was her voice that I started up in fear. "Take off your veil," she cried to the bride, "and let me see how beautiful you are. What gave you the right of entry into this house? Are you more beautiful than I? He abandoned me in scorn, and let me burn in hell-fire all my life, but you he carried home to love and worship. Why? In what respect are you my superior? Have you much money, have you got diamonds and pearls? Let me see them then, so that I may know why it is he prefers you."

Tara cried out in alarm, and I hurried out of my room into the next. The new bride was sitting huddled up in a corner of the bed, her face ashy pale with fear. Surama stood in front of her, her black eyes darting fire at the poor girl. Rh