Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/13

THE CHILD FATHER OF THE MAN but were very different in appearance and temperament. Sirish was a plain, strong, robust lad, and had almost attained the strength of youth; and like many strong lads he was naturally of a pacific temperament. Noren had the bright complexion, the refined features, and the delicate form and face which, in India, often indicates high birth and noble ancestry. Clusters of dark hair fell on Noren’s fair forehead, and his dark eyes sparkled with joy as he ran about the sands. And yet he was easily provoked, and when the blue veins showed themselves on his forehead, his stronger companion did not care to face the rash stripling.

Born without the advantages of birth or wealth, Sirish was endowed with good sense, patience, and a calm perseverance which makes for success in life. Noren, on the other hand, was heir to ample possessions and to a name which was honoured in all the country side. He was gifted, too, with a quick intelligence which, like personal beauty, often a quick descends from parent to son; but he lacked those patient virtues without which more brilliant gifts lead often to failure—sometimes to misery.

And certainly Noren met with failure that evening, when he was building his house of sand under the light of the stars. Generally he was both ingenious and skilful, but this evening he was nervous under the watchful eyes of the little girl who stood by, observant and silent. Hemlata was a sweet girl of twelve, all gentleness and tenderness. Noren knew her from childhood, and loved her with all the impulsive ardour of a child’s love. He poured into her sympathetic ears all the secret sorrows of an 11