Krishnakanta's Will (Chatterjee, Roy)/Part 1/Chapter 18
CHAPTER XVIII.
"What made you stay away in the garden till such a late hour of night?" his wife asked when Gobindalal returned home.
"Why do you ask?" he said. "Did I never stay away so late as this before?"
"You did, but I fear something has happened tonight," said Bhramar.
"How do you know?" said her husband.
"Why," said she, "your very look and the tone of your voice seem to indicate it."
"What has happened?" said Gobindalal rather coolly.
"How am I to know? I was not there with you."
"No, but you can find out what is the matter by looking at my face. Can't you do that, dear?"
"Come, I don't like your jokes," she said. "Something is the matter with you. There is something wrong, for I can see it perfectly well by your looks. Tell me what is the matter, do. You ought to have no secrets from me."
When Bhramar had finished speaking her feelings were worked up to such a pitch that she burst into tears.
Gobindalal drew her affectionately to his side, wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "I will tell you, Bhramar, but not now."
"Why not now?" she said.
"It is better you never know it," he said. "It is not for the ear of a girl so young as you. But I may tell you some day next week."
"Be it as you please. I think I can wait for a few days."
"No, not so soon, Bhramar," he said again. "Let a couple of years pass, and then I will tell you."
She sighed. "Since you will not tell me," she said, "I will not urge you. Oh, I am so unhappy! But I hoped you would tell me."
She was sad. Like a cloud overspreading the clear azure sky in spring a gloom was suddenly cast over her mind, and she did not know why. She thought she had grown very naughty; that her husband was very kind to her, and that it was very uncharitable on her part to have any suspicions about his actions. She went and took a book out of the shelf to read, thinking it would take this foolish unmeaning gloom off her mind and make her cheer up. But she could not give attention. So she threw aside the book and went and laid herself down on the bed.