nts, a protector of his dependants, and peaceable towards his
enemies, wise in counsel, trustworthy in act, gentle in conversation,
ready at a jest. The natural reward of such a nature was unalloyed
happiness. Since Nagendra's infancy it had been so: honour at home,
fame abroad, devoted servants, an attached tenantry; from Surja Mukhi,
unwavering, unbounded, unstained love. If so much happiness had not
been allotted to him he could not have suffered so keenly. Had he not
suffered he had not given way to his passion. Before he had cast the
eyes of desire upon Kunda Nandini he had never fallen into this snare,
because he had never known the want of love. Therefore he had never
felt the necessity of putting a rein upon his inclinations.
Accordingly, when the need of self-control arose he had not the power
to exercise it. Unqualified happiness is often the source of
suffering; and unless there has been suffering, permanent happiness
cannot exist.

It cannot be said that Nagendra was faultless. His fault was very
heavy. A severe expiation had begun.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE SEARCH.

It is needless to say that when the news of Surja Mukhi's flight had
spread through the house, people were sent in great haste in search of
her. Nagendra sent people in all directions, Srish Chandra sent, and
Kamal Mani sent. The upper servants among the women threw down their
water-jars and started off; the Hindustani _Durwans_ of the North-West
Provinces, carrying bamboo staves, wearing cotton-quilted chintz
coats, clattered along in shoes of undressed leather; the
_khansamahs_, with towel on the shoulder and silver chain round the
waist, went in search of the mistress. Some relatives drove in
carriages along the public roads. The villagers searched the fields
and _ghats_; some sat smoking in council under a tree; some went to
the _barowari puja_ house, to the verandah of Siva's temple, and to
the schools of the professors of logic, and in other similar places
sat and discussed the matter. Old and young women formed a small cause
court on the _ghats_; to the boys of the place it was cause of great
excitement; many of them hoped to escape going to school.

At first Srish Chandra and Kamal Mani comforted Nagendra, saying, "She
has never been accustomed to walk; how far can she go? Half a mile, or
a mile at the most; hence she must be sitting somewhere near at hand,
we shall find her immediately."

But when two or three hours had passe