already eaten. Amidst all these celebrations, Kumud’s sombre mood also turned celebratory. Saubhagya Devi was to eat in Buddhidhan’s plate, similarly Alak Kishori would eat in Vidurprasad’s plate, Kumud Sundari in Pramaddhan’s plate and Jamnakaki in Dayashankar’s plate. No plates had to be set for these fortunate ones. For all others, plates were being arranged. Meanwhile, Vanleela composed a song on a sheet of paper and showed it to Saubhagya Devi. Alak Kishori demanded that it be sung. She also said the song would be considered good only if it passed Kumud Sundari’s test. As Kumud came down, all the women made way for her. She sat down, Alak Kishori and Vanleela sat on either side of her; Kumud held Vanleela’s composition in her hand. Other friends sat around them. Saubhagya Devi and Jamnakaki, who had taken the seats previously occupied by their husbands, now turned their attention to Kumud. The cook ready to serve their meals also paused and looked up. The three women sang in their soft and melodious voices. What would mortals know of Godly play? The oil He pours shapes the burning flame The days of sorrow are now past Joyous times are upon us, behold He who troubled the meek and good The evil Shath stumbled and fell at last In this chess, we have beaten you, ungodly ones The Rana of Suvarnapur was alert and just May his glory all ages outlast May we prove worthy of our victory Prays Vanleela with folded hands May this glorious dream forever last All the assembled women attentively heard the song. They awaited Kumud Sundari’s verdict. ‘It is well composed,’ Kumud said with a smile, and the women got up to begin their meal. One said, ‘The words flow in a rhythm’; the other remarked, ‘Yes, the meaning is also very clear’. One of them went up to Vanleela and asked, ‘What does beaten in chess mean?’. Vanleela was enthusiastically pulled in all directions.

Sarasvatichandra Alak Kishori caught Vanleela by the arm and sat her down beside her. All the women sat down to eat. They joked and laughed during the meal. Thus the past, the present and the future were forgotten in the unfolding of the present.

Before Kumud Sundari came down for lunch with the rest of the women, all the men assembled at the Counsellor’s residence went up to Pramaddhan’s drawing room. Buddhidhan moved around, talking to the officials. Those whom he spoke to, or even acknowledged by merely looking in their direction, felt especially privileged. Vidurprasad passed around paan. Pramaddhan reclined in an armchair, grandly issued orders, chatted with his friends, and laughed loudly and incessantly. Navinchandra sat quietly in a corner, torn between his decision to leave Suvarnapur and his desire to observe the unfolding developments. Finally, at around two in the afternoon, all the officials and other guests began to leave in groups. Buddhidhan was exhausted and wanted to rest after the heavy meal. He retired to his room. Pramaddhan also