Vandiyathevan listened carefully, his ears alert. For a moment, it seemed as if he could hear the sound of footsteps. Suddenly, the sound stopped. Then, it was heard again. Now, the sound seemed to be receding, growing fainter as it moved away.

“Sir! Must we really go further up? Wouldn’t it be better to turn back?” asked Manimekalai.

“Princess! It is not my habit to turn back once I have set my foot forward!” replied Vallavarayan.

“If you wish, you may call it a monkey’s grip!” she said.

“Didn’t your friend Chandramathi once describe me as ‘monkey-face’? Wouldn’t the grip suit the face?” he retorted.

Exchanging such words, Vandiyathevan, who had until then been following behind Manimekalai, now tried to overtake her and go ahead. Manimekalai tried to prevent him.

The two jostled against each other. The lamp in Manimekalai’s hand slipped and fell with a thud. It rolled down two or three steps with a clatter and went out. Darkness engulfed that uneven, sloping pathway.

“Princess! What have you done?” exclaimed Vallavarayan.

“Why did you try to overtake me and go ahead?” asked Manimekalai.

“It is not my habit to let women go ahead when danger is near!” said Vandiyathevan.

“It would be good if you clearly told me what your habits are and what they are not. I shall conduct myself accordingly.”

“Very well, my lady! I shall tell you when there is time.”

“What is lacking in time now? Come, let us turn back to the garden. There, we can sit and you may tell me at leisure.”

“If you are afraid to walk in the dark, you may turn back!...” “When a brave warrior like you is by my side, what have I to fear?”

“Then come along, let us go! What use is there in standing here on the path?”

So saying, Vandiyathevan tried to walk ahead, but his foot slipped and he nearly fell. Manimekalai caught hold of him, preventing his fall.

“Sir! There are many rises and dips along this path. In this darkness, it’s impossible to tell where the steps are, or where the level ground lies. I have walked this way countless times. I know well where the steps and turns are. So, no matter how valiant and daring you may be, it is best if you take my hand and follow behind me. Otherwise, you will never reach the hunting lodge. You’ll trip and fall somewhere along the way!” said Manimekalai.

“Princess! I shall walk as you command. My respects!” replied Vandiyathevan.

In the darkness, Manimekalai took hold of one of Vallavaraiyan’s hands. She noticed that Vandiyathevan’s hand was trembling. ‘He fears neither enemies nor conspirators; why then does he seem afraid to hold the hand of this foolish girl?’ she wondered to herself.

For a while, the two walked on in silence. Vandiyathevan stumbled often, nearly falling each time. Each time, Manimekalai had to grip his hand more tightly to keep him from falling.

“The road to hell must