Krishnakanta's Will (Chatterjee, Roy)/Part 2/Chapter 11
CHAPTER XI.
Madhabinath was come home. Bhramar was at her father's. There was an expression of sadness in her face, which no one could fail to see. Her father said no more to her than that Gobindalal was quite well, for he feared that if she heard of the rash and violent deed he had done it would very seriously affect her health. However, as he had told this in confidence to his wife, who, wanting to unburden herself, had cautiously and secretly imparted it to their widowed daughter. Bhramar before long heared of it. The news, as might be expected, was at first crushing to her; but finally she had learned to be resigned.
Her elder sister, Jamini, said to her one day, "It seems to me that Gobindalal will be safe to come and live at his own house now."
"What makes you think so?" said Bhramar.
"Why, he was not known by his real name while he was away. How then can the police know that he is the very same man who lived at Prosadpur?"
"Didn't you hear that the police went in search of him to Haridragram? That shows that they are in possession of his real name."
"However, I think," said Jamini, "there is nothing better he can do than to come home, for then he can command his finance, and father says the police care for nothing but silver."
A tear sprang to her eye. "That's very true," she said, "but who is to give him that advice? Who knows where he is hiding?"
"Gobindalal, I trust, will himself soon feel that he will be more safe to live at his own house at Haridragram than elsewhere."
"I doubt he will come."
"Oh, he will, I tell you. My prediction will come true, you will see."
"Well," said Bhramar, "if no harm could ever come to him at Haridragram, then I would a thousand times wish him to come, and would fervently pray God to bring him home. But if he cannot be safe to live at his own house, then may his instinct keep him away. God have mercy on him!"
"But, dear sister, I think you will do well to go and live at Haridragram, for who knows when he may come, being, as not very unlikely, short of money? If he hears you are not there he will go away."
"Oh, I can see that; but who will look after me there now that I am in such poor health?"
"Why, I shall most gladly live with you at Haridragram."
"Well, I will go. You need not go now. You may ask mother to arrange for my going to-morrow. But forget me not, dear sister, forget me not in the day of trouble when I shall expect you to come and stay with me."
"Oh, why do you talk thus, dear?"
Bhramar wept. "I wonder if he will ever think to come," she murmured.
"My mind tells me he will. He will return a very different man from what he was when he went from you. Come, dry your tears, dear, and think of the joy of the meeting that will be."
"Joy! Oh, this heart—"
The words stuck in her throat. She was too much moved.
Jamini could not see, as her sister did, what the consequence of that most unfortunate act would be. She did not seem to think of the murder committed by Gobindalal, which Bhramar could never for a moment forget, being ever and anon tormented with the horror of the punishment which invariably followed such a rash and violent act.