human
Vyas Shastree, he said, looking at him intently as they sat down, and speaking with irrepressible concern and grief in his voice,
gpt
O friend! O dear old friend! I have dark news for thee to-day. Alas! and woe to me that I have to tell it! Hast thou a daughter named Tara?
human
I have come to seek her--followed her thus far--what of her? replied the Shastree, sickening with apprehension--
gpt
She was a priestess of Toolja Máta at Tooljapoor, was she not?
human
She was so, friend, and the Mussulmans carried her off. But they spared her honour! O, say they spared her honour!
gpt
She was an honoured guest with them, friend, and would that----O, how shall I say the rest? he thought,--
human
Thou art keeping something from me, said the Shastree, striving to be calm.
gpt
If--if Tara--my daughter----What is it, O friend? we have suffered much suspense, much anxiety:--for her sake have taken this weary journey; and we hoped to have found her here among friends, perhaps with thee. What hast thou to say of her? Did they not give her up, as we heard they would? Have--they----
human
Yes, she is here, returned the Pundit hesitatingly, and turning away his head in a vain attempt to repress his tears.
gpt
She--she--is a widow, is she not?
human
Where have ye put her?
gpt
Friend, said the Pundit, passing his arm around him and trying to raise him up,
human
In the fire, he echoed dreamily--rising, and supporting himself against a pillar in the room with a hopeless gesture of despair--
gpt
he added presently,
human
She thought you dead--you, her mother, and your new wife, replied the Pundit, interrupting him.
gpt
She was suffering hopeless persecution and insult, and in the temple at Pertâbgurh she stood before the Mother's image, and declared herself sutee before the Brahmuns. Could we recall the words? I was present. Had it been my own daughter I had been thankful. O Shastree! it was her glory!
human
Let me see her and hear it from her own lips,
gpt
Certainly, if thou wilt, replied the Pundit;
human
I--I--must see her, he said.
gpt
Let her decide;
human
Drink some water, Vyas Shastree; it will refresh you,
gpt
No, no, friend, he replied, putting it away,
human
I will not eat or drink till this is past, if it is to be. Let us go. I am no less a Brahmun than thyself. If the Mother whom she serves has spoken to her, it is well--she will go to her. My child! O my child! cried the miserable man in his agony.
gpt
O Mother, what hath she done for this to come to her--she, so pure, to need the sacrifice of fire! O Toolja Máta, was it needed? Come, Shastree, I am ready now, he continued, after a pause.
human
Do not delay.