THE SLAVE GIRL OF AGRA
"Thou judgest me too leniently, dear Hemlata, by calling me hasty. I have been rash and thoughtless and insane. I endangered the life of thy father in my childish pride. The great God has saved me from the result of my rashness. Forgive me, Hemlata, for the alarm which I caused thee and thy mother."
"My mother has already forgiven thee, Noren, and has pleaded for thee to my father, and I have nothing to forgive for I knew thee guiltless. But be sober and patient, as thou art noble and manly. There is not a greater House in all Bengal than the House of Birnagar; live long to be its proud ruler, Noren, like thy grandfather of old."
"Thy forgiveness relieves me, Hemlata, and thy kind wishes will help me. Much have I suffered in the past, much may I suffer yet, but I will try henceforth to face my misfortunes as a man. This trial has taught me a lesson which I shall not forget."
"But wilt thou not obtain thy estate, Noren, after a short while? My father discharged his trust faithfully, and my mother has tended thee, Noren, as she has tended me."
"Thy mother, Hemlata, is a saint on earth, my own mother could not have loved me more if she had lived. Nor shall one word escape my lips against thy father; indeed, I have been undutiful to him, and he has forgiven me. And—and thou, Hemlata—may I say this at the moment of our parting?—thou hast been the star of my happiness—my hope, my love!"
Hemlata turned her face and was silent. She was but a girl, but her girl's heart throbbed at the utterance of a word whose import she could scarcely yet comprehend!
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