"I suppose this means that all communication between yourself and your family comes to an end," remarked Alderbury.
"I think not, sir," replied Ananda in a decisive voice. "Why should I be banished from my home like a criminal because I have changed my religion? I shall not allow my wife to go back. There is no reason why she should run any risk of insult; but I shall go back later on, when the irritation against me has died down, and see my father and mother."
"Don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger. Past experience should make you careful," said Alderbury.
"It has been dearly bought and is not likely to be forgotten," replied Ananda, with a touch of bitterness.
"And remember also that in Chirapore you, as an outcaste and Christian, have no civil rights."
"I am not likely to forget what is the only stain upon its government as a model native State. I should not think of returning to live there; but I mean to go some time or other to see my mother."
The old obstinacy was still to the fore. Behind it stood no longer the weakness and vacillation of youth, but the noble courage of a man who had been tried in the fire of affliction and not found wanting.
"And now I want to know how your wife managed to get away and meet me on the road."
"Tell your story, beloved. I, too, want to hear how you escaped and who befriended you," said Ananda.
"The friend was the same Englishwoman who helped you," answered Dorama timidly; but gaining courage she continued: "She arranged it all with Bopaul. There was no difficulty; for since I have been thus"—she touched her coarse cloth—"no one has cared how I spent my time nor where I wandered. Mayita came every day to see me and we passed hours in your little room, my lord, where I found this!" She pulled out his glove and showed it to him. "At sunset yesterday Mayita brought me a message from Bopaul to say that my husband was alive and safe on British ground, out of reach of our uncle's spite. Oh, how I rejoiced at the good news! but I was obliged to hide my feelings. Mayita told me that if I wished to see him again, I was to keep my secret and follow every direction sent by her, without asking any questions. This morning as soon as I could leave the house I went to the little room and there I found Mayita waiting for me. She said that I was to go at once to Bopaul whom I should find in the compound. He was there. Without a word he took my hand as he takes his sister's and together we walked away. Any one seeing us from the house would have thought that he was leading his sister home, for my saree was drawn over my head; and Mayita has grown nearly as tall as I am."