Entering her bedchamber behind Mrinalini, Hrishikesh said, “Mrinalini! What is this conduct of yours?”

Mrinalini: “What conduct of mine?”

Hrishikesh: “I do not know whose daughter you are, nor what your character is. At my guru’s request, I have given you shelter in my house. You sleep in the same bed as my daughter Manimalini—why do you engage in such wanton behavior?”

Mrinalini: “Whoever accuses me of wantonness is a liar.”

Hrishikesh’s lips quivered with anger. He said, “Wicked girl! You fill your belly with my food, and yet you dare speak insolently to me? Leave my house at once! Perhaps Madhavacharya will be displeased, but I cannot keep such a viper in my home.”

Mu.: As you command—tomorrow morning you shall see me no more.

Hrishikesh believed that, in an age when being cast out from his house would render Mrinalini utterly without refuge, such a reply from her was impossible. Yet, seeing that Mrinalini showed not the slightest fear at the prospect of being shelterless, he thought she must be confident of finding a place in the courtesan’s house, and it was this assurance that emboldened her answer. This only served to further inflame Hrishikesh’s anger. With greater vehemence, he said, “Tomorrow morning! Leave this instant!”

Mr.: As you command. I shall take leave of my friend Manimalini and depart tonight itself.

Saying this, Mrinalini rose to her feet.

Hrishikesh said, “What business has Mrinalini with that harlot?”

This time, tears welled up in Mrinalini’s eyes. She said, “So be it. I have brought nothing with me; I shall take nothing away. I go with only the clothes on my back. I bow to you.”

With these words, and without uttering another, Mrinalini left the bedchamber, cast out.

Just as the other members of the household had risen from their beds at Byomkesh’s cries, so too had Manimalini. Seeing her father accompany Mrinalini all the way to the bedchamber, she had taken the opportunity to converse with her brother, and, understanding his wickedness, had rebuked him. When she had finished her reproaches and was returning, she encountered, in the courtyard, Mrinalini striding swiftly away. She asked, “Friend, where are you going at such an hour, so late at night?”

Mrinalini replied, “Friend Manimalini, may you live long. Speak not with me—your father has forbidden it.”

Mani: What is this, Mrinalini? Why are you weeping? Alas! Who knows what my father has said! Friend, come back. Do not be angry. Manimalini could not persuade Mrinalini to return. Like a proud and steadfast mountain rock, the virtuous lady walked away. Then, in great haste, Manimalini went to her father. Mrinalini, too, came out of the house.

Stepping outside, she saw Girijaya standing at the previously agreed-upon spot. Seeing her, Mrinalini said, “Why are you still standing here?”

Girijaya replied, “I came to tell you to escape. Whether you come or not—I stayed to see.”

Mrinalini asked, “Did you bite the Brahmin?”

Girijaya answered, “So what if I did? A Brahmin