The Power of Justice and the Delicacy of Social Affection Let men versed in policy praise or blame; let the goddess of wealth enter (their house) or go away (from it as she likes; let death come even to-day or in another age; persons of mental calibre do not swerve from the path of justice.⁵¹³ Fiat Justitia ruat caelem! [Justice shall be done though the heavens fall!]  —A maxim of law O’ sage! That knowledge is no longer dear to my heart.⁵¹⁴ Sardar Singh, the Superintendent of Police, pretended to be indifferent about Chandrakant’s meeting with the mendicant. Chandrakant announced that he wished to see the surrounding areas. He borrowed a carriage from Vidya Chatura and set out in the afternoon. He was to meet the mendicant at the eastern foothills of Sundargiri. The day after Chandrakant’s departure, early in the morning, Vidya Chatura requested Gunasundari’s presence in his room. He was seated on an easy chair. Gunasundari, worn out by worries, sat facing him.

‘Gunial, ninety-nine percent out of hundred, Sarasvatichandra is alive. But he has become an ascetic and lives in the Math of Vishnudas. It is futile to entertain any hopes regarding him.’ Gunasundari: ‘He has lost his mother. He needs a mother who would bring him back into our fold. His suffering has grown beyond all limits. I try and forget Kumud, but Kusum becomes a cause of worry. I try to put it out of my mind, but Sarasvatichandra’s suffering pierces my heart. With your permission, I will go to the Math. Neither he nor Vishnudas would decline my plea to bring him back.’ Vidya Chatura: ‘You cannot rid yourself of the idea that Kusum and he would marry, can you?’ Gunasundari: ‘I will rid myself of it when it becomes inevitable. There is no harm in this proposal; we have something to gain and I must make an effort. My heart bears testimony that he will not disregard the plea of my tears.’ Vidya Chatura: ‘What will you gain by bringing him back to our house? What if his happiness lies there?’ Gunasundari: ‘I cannot understand the purport of your words.’ Vidya Chatura: ‘I have some very strange, unimaginable news to give you. I do not know how you will take it. But until I share it with you, you would not understand my view.’ Gunasundari: ‘Tell me whatever it is. My heart has dealt with enough blows; one more is not going to break it.’ Vidya Chatura: ‘Words fail me.’ Gunasundari: ‘This is a new experience for me. You are keeping things from me. This distance causes greater pain than the news that you have kept from me. I realise today that a woman is weak and an orphan even though she has her husband’s love.’ Vidya Chatura: ‘Kumud is alive.’ ‘What!’ Gunasundari exclaimed in utter joy. Vidya Chatura: ‘Most probably she is alive. She is with Sarasvatichandra.’

Gunasundari’s face withered. She said nothing. She looked down and wept. Vidya Chatura: ‘I