Leave Taking After Kumud left his room, Sarasvatichandra felt as if some powerful force had gone, leaving a serene calm in its wake. He saw her retreating back, and the closing door. He slumped back into bed with a sigh. Was all of that a dream? Was that Kumud Sundari herself? How did she faint? Did he really hold her in his arms? Did he truly caress her face? What was it she said? Has she gone? Forever? Shouldn’t she be the one in a pitiable condition? Was his own frailty not proven? Many such thoughts crowded his mind. He was overwhelmed by a complex of emotions including love, sadness, helplessness, self- loathing, and compassion. It was all too much for his exhausted mind to bear. He fell asleep, and woke up at seven the next morning. Pramaddhan had returned from Lilapur, triumphant. The Rana, after this successful mission, had decided to present robes of honour to Buddhidhan the same day. Narbheram and Jaymal were given the responsibility of making the arrangements. Buddhidhan’s household was bustling with these activities when Sarasvatichandra woke up. He went down to the drawing room after brushing his teeth. Pramaddhan was boasting of his success in Lilapur to a group that had gathered around him. At the door, bards were reciting their compositions in praise of Buddhidhan. Charan women, tall and buxom, sang songs in beautiful melody, evoking feelings of pure devotion towards the Rana and his administration. As the day progressed, a large crowd gathered outside Buddhidhan’s house. The entire street was full of people. The house also had many visitors; administrators, friends, well-wishers, and anyone with a fleeting acquaintance with the family called to pay their respects. The drawing room was filled to capacity. Sarasvatichandra’s room was opened for visitors. The women occupied the courtyard and the surrounding rooms. They were decked up in beautiful brightly coloured sarees and adorned with gold and silver ornaments studded with diamonds and pearls. They looked like a garden in full bloom. Saubhagya Devi shone like the moon among the stars. Alak Kishori flashed through the gathering like lightning that eclipses the brightness of stars and the moon. Kumud Sundari was like the sombre and alluring Venus. Dayashankar Kaka and the old family priest were busy instructing the women in the preparation of things required for worship. Flaring red kumkum, fragrant and colourful flowers, incense sticks, silver and golden plates and other objects for worship added to the glory of Buddhidhan’s house. Meanwhile, the Rana sent a ceremonial procession to invite his appointed Karbhari to the palace. Drummers and trumpeters came first, followed by an elephant, followed by a horse carriage in which sat a bhayat, Narbheram and Jaymal; a troupe of riders on horseback and soldiers on foot followed the carriage. The procession stood outside Buddhidhan’s door, waiting to receive him. Sarasvatichandra moved around vacantly amid all this bustle. Kumud Sundari’s letter was still in his pocket. He wanted to read it, but found no spot