t understanding this,
said: "Surja Mukhi always loved me. Why hang pearls on a monkey's
neck? an iron chain were better."

At this Kunda Nandini could not restrain her tears. Slowly rising, she
went out of the room. There was no one now to whom she could look for
sympathy. Kunda had not sought Kamal Mani since her arrival. Imagining
herself the one chiefly to blame in the marriage, Kunda had not dared
to show herself to Kamal Mani; but now, wounded to the quick, she
longed to go to her compassionate, loving friend, who on a former
occasion had soothed and shared her grief and wiped away her tears.
But now things were altered. When Kamal saw Kunda Nandini approaching
she was displeased, but she made no remark. Kunda, sitting down, began
to weep; but Kamal did not inquire into the cause of her grief, so
Kunda remained silent. Presently, Kamal Mani, saying "I am busy," went
away. Kunda Nandini perceived that all joy is fleeting.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE FRUIT OF THE POISON TREE.

Nagendra's letter to Hara Deb Ghosal:

"You wrote that of all the acts I have done in my life, my marriage
with Kunda Nandini is the most erroneous. I admit it. By doing this I
have lost Surja Mukhi. I was very fortunate in obtaining Surja Mukhi
for a wife. Every one digs for jewels, but only one finds the
Koh-i-nur. Surja Mukhi is the Koh-i-nur. In no respect can Kunda
Nandini fill her place. Why, then, did I instal Kunda Nandini in her
seat? Delusion, delusion; now I am sensible of it. I have waked up
from my dream to realize my loss. Now where shall I find Surja Mukhi?
Why did I marry Kunda Nandini? Did I love her? Certainly I loved her;
I lost my senses for her; my life was leaving me. But now I know this
was but the love of the eye; or else, when I have been only fifteen
days married, why do I say, 'Did I love her?' I love her still; but
where is my Surja Mukhi?

"I meant to have written much more to-day; but I cannot, it is very
difficult."

Hara Deb Ghosal's reply:

"I understand your state of mind. It is not that you do not love Kunda
Nandini; you do love her, but when you said it was the love of the eye
only, you spoke the truth. Towards Surja Mukhi your love is deep, but
for a couple of days it has been covered by the shadow of Kunda
Nandini. Now you understand that you have lost Surja Mukhi. So long as
the sun remains unclouded, we are warmed by his beams and we love the
clouds; but when the sun is gone we know that he was