Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/315

 thou canst not see, thou canst not feel, the agony which a man suffers when hopes are gone, when life is a blank."

"A woman sees much and feels much, Noren," said Hemlata, gently.

"If thou knowest all, wouldst thou still consign me to a life of disappointment, a life of torture, in those ancient halls and familiar scenes where everything will remind me of the past? Live a happy and devoted wife in thy husband's home, Hemlata, let me live far away from scenes which I dare not re-visit. Perhaps, when the hair is grey on my head, and the memory of the past has faded like a troubled vision, we may see each other once more. And thou wilt then tend a feeble old man with a sister's care, and see him close his eyes in peace."

"Thou hast spoken, my brother Noren, and spoken sadly. Listen to me for awhile, though it is but a woman who speaks. There are women on earth who have perhaps endured what thou hast endured, and yet tried to do their duty in life. It seems to me, Noren, that there is One who has ordained to us our different tasks, and who expects us to labour in the fields. He has prepared for us. We mortals talk of our petty feelings and jealousies and vain desires, but methinks we live our life best if we do our own ordained duties, and die as men and women who have performed their tasks. To thee, Noren, are given ample estates, loyal subjects, thousands of men and women who look up to thee in their sorrows and sufferings. Shalt thou turn thy back on all these—as a soldier never turns from his duty—because thou once hadst some vain longings in thy heart?"