There is still an hour before the sun god sets, yet the cool breeze in the garden feels chilling to our princes Indrajit Singh and Anand Singh as they stroll. The garden is abloom with flowers of every color and beauty, whose sight could fill any heart with joy, but the buds of these two hearts...

No matter what, nothing seems to bloom. All the delightful things in the garden now appear unpleasant to these two brothers. For a long time, they have been strolling through the garden, but not once have they spoken to each other or laughed, for both their hearts are heavy with sorrow. Each is lost in his own thoughts, each is searching for his beloved, each thinking, "Ah, how wonderful it would be if, at this very moment, she were here—the one whom my heart loves, without whom all the treasures of the world seem worthless!" They tried many ways to distract themselves, but nothing worked. Helpless, the two brothers made their way to the barahdari adjoining the southern side of the palace, where, at that moment, King Virendra Singh was amusing himself with his courtiers. Dev Singh was also seated with them, sometimes reminding the king of their boyhood days, sometimes making secret jests and receiving witty replies in turn. The two young men entered as well, but as soon as they sat down, the atmosphere of the gathering changed, and the conversation took on a different tone, as often happens when sensible youths join a group of elders engaged in playful banter.

Virendra Singh: "Now I feel like going to Chunar, but…"

Devi Singh: "Is there any need for you here anymore?"

Virendra Singh: "True, there is no need for me here, but after witnessing the strange happenings of this place, I worry that my departure might cause some trouble, and the boys might face difficulties."

Indrajit Singh: (folding his hands) "Please do not worry about that. If we cannot handle such minor matters ourselves, what will we do in the future?"

Virendra Singh: "So, you also intend to stay here?"

Indrajit Singh: "If you permit!"

Virendra Singh: (after some thought) "What do you say, Devi Singh?"

Devi Singh: "What harm is there? Let them stay."

Virendra Singh: "And you?"

Devi Singh: "I will go with you. Bhairon and Tara will remain here; both are clever fellows—there is no harm."

Bhairon Singh: (folding his hands) "The wonders of this place can do us no harm!"

Tara Singh: (folding his hands) "I have not received your command, otherwise I have the courage to overturn such magical tricks in a single day."

Bhairon Singh: "If you wish, we can resolve all these strange matters today itself."

Virendra Singh: (smiling) "No, there is no need for that. I trust you all—"

I have complete faith in my resolve. (Looking towards Dev Singh) Well then, today is a good day.

Dev Singh: "Excellent! (Turning to an attendant) Would you kindly take the trouble?"

Attendant: "Very well, I shall go."

Kunwar Indrajit Singh and Anand Singh both wished that, somehow, Virendra Singh would go to Chunar, for as long as he remained here, they could not carry out their own plans. Virendra Singh understood this as well, but apart from that, who knows what else he was thinking, that at this moment he was setting out for Chunar, or what purpose he sought in leaving the borders of Gaya!

No one could fathom the thoughts of Raja Virendra Singh. He could not tell anyone what he would do two hours hence. No one could say where the Maharaj would be tomorrow, though he was here today, or why he undertook a certain task, or with what intention. First, he would steel his resolve in his heart, which none could alter, but he held great respect for his father and did not think it wrong to change even his firmest intentions at his father's command; indeed, he considered it his duty and his dharma.

Two watches of the night had passed when Virendra Singh set out towards Chunar, taking Dev Singh with him. Now, Kunwar Indrajit Singh and Anand Singh were their own masters, but what of being kings themselves? Even in his independence, Anand Singh could not disregard the commands of his elder brother. And here, both had their own intentions, which did not hinder one another.

Kunwar Indrajit Singh was unwell, so the two brothers had been staying in the same room, but now each arranged for his own separate chamber. The room with the strange chamber, whose account has been given above, was taken by Anand Singh for himself. Some distance from there was Indrajit Singh's room.