THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
"Nay, but those days are coming back to my mind to-night. This river, this moonlight night, this boat of ours, all recall the past. I can almost think we are at Birnagar again, and that Noren is waiting on those sand-banks for my brother, and for thee, Hemlata. Dost remember how you used to play on the sand-banks together on moonlight nights like this?"
"I remember, sister, but we are children no longer, and it is useless to think of the past."
"May be the past will be repeated, Hemlata. Noren will return to Birnagar, and we may sometimes come there from Debipur to visit him. And we shall cull flowers in the same garden, worship in the same temple, and stroll on the same sand-banks as we did in our childhood. And the stars of the sky will shine upon us, united once more."
"The past is never repeated, sister Saibalini."
"We live in hopes, sister, and we must do our ordained task under all circumstances. I feel for thee, sweet Hemlata, for thy home will never be the same as when thy father was alive and thy mother was near. But let us pray to the Great Being for those that are left. Promise me, Hemlata, that thou shalt persuade Noren to return with us; Noren will not refuse thee, for he has ever loved thee as a sister."
"I will do what I can, sister. But hush! I hear the sound of oars."
Both listened, and both looked out into the moonlight.
Far in the dim light they could see a light skiff rowed by stalwart rowers, and coming swiftly over the
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