THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
Debipur, choose for her a Debipur youth of high descent who will uphold the glory of Debipur and defend its rights."
"Proceed, Gokul Das, for thou speakest sense, and I would hear more from thee. We shall have to go far, I ween, to find such a young man as thou speakest."
"You will find him in your own household, Master, if you seek for him. Sirish is an orphan who, with his widowed sister, Saibalini, has lately come from Debipur and found shelter with you. They are descended from a scion of your own House, and rank with Hemlata herself by birth, though they be but poor dependants. I have seen Sirish at village games, and mark my words, the pride of his ancestors dwells in his deep bosom and gleams in his eyes under a calm demeanour. And trust me Hemlata, though a playmate of Noren's from childhood, esteems this nobler youth secretly in her heart."
"I have watched Sirish too, my friend, and marked his patient perseverance, his secret determination, his robust frame. The other evening he and Noren fell out. Sirish lifted Noren from the ground and flung him on the sands in his anger, so I heard from Hemlata."
"So may he smite the heir of Birnagar when he weds your daughter and becomes the Lord of Debipur. So may he avenge the wrongs which Noren's grandfather inflicted on us!"
"Give me time to think, Gokul Das, for thou dost overwhelm me. Work thy peaceful schemes, but Nobo Kumar has manlier schemes in his head. Debipur shall never go unto the heir of Birnagar!"
48
