THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
him alone. I beg thee, sister, to go and meet him first. I—I will follow if thou wilt."
"Why, Hemlata, I have never seen thee like this. Thou hast ever been sensible and reasonable. Thou knowest very well a widow may not enter a temple at night till she has said her prayers, and my devotions will not take me an hour."
"Then we will go together after an hour, sister."
" Nay, he will not wait after the service is over; he will leave the temple if he sees us not. Listen to me, dear sister, as thou hast ever listened to me. Go and meet him, and I will come as soon as my prayers are over."
Hemlata placed her hand once more on her beating bosom, and in the silent light of the moon stepped out of the boat and walked to the temple. The sacred image, far in the inmost recess of the temple, and lighted by a dim light, came to view as she entered the portal. Hemlata paused, knelt on the well-worn stone floor, and bowed to the image. And a silent prayer rose from her heart for the help of the All-Merciful in the trials and temptations of this earth.
The bells of the temple sounded, and the Arati service of the first watch of the night commenced. Noren and a few other worshippers stood near the image, and a priest chanted the sacred Mantras and sprinkled the holy water on the worshippers. Then rose a holy lay, recited by another priest, and the verses chosen were those sublime lines of the ancient poet, Bharavi, which are but an echo of the aspirations of the human heart which have found expression in all tongues and in all ages.
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