The next day, after eating and settling their minds, when both sat together in solitude at noon, Indrajit Singh said to Madhavi—

"Now I cannot wait any longer; today I will not relent until I hear your true story, and there will not be another time as peaceful as this."

Madhavi: "Yes, today I will certainly tell you my story."

Indrajit Singh: "Then go on, tell me, why delay any longer? First, tell me where your parents are, and in which region is this land where I was brought, rendered unconscious?"

Madhavi: "This land belongs to Gayaji; I am the daughter of the king here. At present, I am the mistress myself—my parents died five years ago."

Indrajit Singh: "Oh! So I have arrived in the territory of Gayaji! (Thinking for a moment) So, you went to Chunar for me?"

Madhavi: "Yes, I went to Chunar, and this ring that you have on your hand—I sent it to you through the merchant."

Indrajit Singh: "Yes, that is true. So it seems, Kishori is also your name?"

The mention of the name Kishori startled Madhavi and threw her into a panic. It felt as if someone had struck her chest with great force. Instantly, her thoughts went to that tunnel from which Indrajit Singh had emerged, wearing wet clothes. She began to think, "His entering that tunnel was not without reason; either some enemy of mine arrived, or one of my companions betrayed me." From that very moment, a fear of Indrajit Singh settled in her heart, and she became so anxious that she could not compose herself. Making an excuse, she rose from his side and went out into the veranda to walk.

Indrajit Singh, too, understood the state of her mind from the changes in her expression, and, thinking it unwise to stop her as she made her excuse to leave, remained silent.

For half an hour, Madhavi paced the veranda. When her mind was somewhat settled, she stopped walking and went into another room, where her two closest companions resided—whom she valued more than her own life and in whom she placed great trust. These two companions, named Lalita and Tilottama, also loved her dearly and were well-versed in the art of ayyari.

Seeing Madhavi arrive at such an untimely hour, her two companions—who were lying on the bed and conversing—sat up in alarm, and Tilottama stepped forward and asked,

"Sister, what brings you here to this forest? There is a sign of worry upon your face!"

Madhavi: "What can I say, sister? Something has happened that I never expected!"

Lalita: "What is it, then? Tell me!"

Madhavi: "Come, sit down. I will tell you; that is why I have come."

After sitting down, Madhavi remained silent for a while. Then, recounting all that had transpired with Indrajit Singh, she said, "There is no doubt that a messenger of Kishori has arrived here, and it is he who has revealed all these secrets. I was suspicious from the