Krishna Kanta's Will (Chatterjee, Knight)/Part 2/Chapter 2

1738739Krishna Kanta's Will — Part 2, Chapter IIBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

CHAPTER II.


Hearing that his daughter was laid up, Bhramar's father came to see her. We have given no particular account of this gentleman, but will now supply it. Mâdhabi Nâth Sarkâr was forty-one, a man of fine presence. As to his character there was much difference of opinion. Many praised him highly, many said there never was so evil a man. That he was clever all admitted, and those who praised also feared him.

Mâdhabi Nâth was deeply shocked and grieved at his daughter's condition. He recalled that dark, glowing beauty, every part of whose frame was perfect in graceful symmetry. Now he saw her face withered, her body emaciated, her neck so thin that even the bones were to be seen, her lotus eyes sunk in their sockets. Bhramar also at sight of her father was greatly overcome. When both had recovered a little she said, "Father, I think my days are ending. Help me to perform some holy deeds. Though yet a child my days have come to an end, so why should I delay any longer? I have much money. I will devote it to religious purposes. Who will carry them out? Father, do you undertake to do so."

Mâdhabi Nâth made no reply. He could no longer bear this pain, and leaving her, he sat long in the outer apartment, weeping bitterly. Nor did he only weep, the sharp pain in Mâdhabi Nâth's heart changed to deep anger. The thought arose, "Is there no one in this world who can inflict upon the destroyer of my daughter the outrage he has committed upon her?" Thus brooding, the distress in his heart changed into burning anger, his eyes red and swollen, he vowed to himself "Upon him who has destroyed my Bhramar I will bring the same destruction." Becoming calmer, he returned to the inner room, went to his daughter and said, "I have been thinking of your wish to devote your money to religion. Your health is bad. If you enter upon a religious course, much fasting will be involved, and you not now bear fasting. When you are a little better—"

"Will this body ever be better?"

"Of course it will. Things are not so bad as all that. I know how it is—you don't take any medicine here. How can it be otherwise? there is neither father-in-law nor mother-in-law to look after you and see you put under proper medical treatment. You must come home with me and I will have you properly looked after. I'll stay here a couple of days and then take you to Râjgrâm."

Bhramar's paternal home was at Râjgrâm. Taking leave of his daughter, Mâdhabi Nâth went to her men of business. He asked the Dewân if any letters came from the Babu. The Dewân answered "No."

Mâdhabi.   "Where is he now?"

Dewân.   "None of us can give you any news of him. He does not send any."

Mâdhabi.   "From whence can I obtain news?"

Dewân.   "If we knew that we should have inquired about him. I sent a man to the Babu's mother's (Mâ Thâkurâni) at Benares to ask for news of him, but none had come there. No one knows where the Babu is living."