human
Now, listen again. You have much to live for--the pleasures of life, the enjoyments of wealth--honour as the wife of Vyas Shastree,--children to come, and your husband's love, with your children's; but remember, Radha, they are all in my hand. A word from me to him, and you are sunk lower than the Moorlees. All this joy will pass from you. He will cast you out, and I will not shelter you. You shall be worse than the vilest, and men shall mock you. By ---- and he swore a horrible curse,
gpt
I will do this and more, Radha, if you refuse. Answer me, girl,
human
Moro! cried his sister, gasping for breath,
gpt
she continued, as, without speaking, he hastily raised himself, seized a naked dagger that was concealed under his pillow, and brandished it with one hand, while he pressed her down with his knee, and held her forcibly against the wall with the other.
human
Strike! your blow will be more merciful than your words,
gpt
Stay--hold! cried a shrill woman's voice, as a hasty rustling of silken garments was heard for an instant between the door and the bed, and Moro Trimmul's hand was seized in a powerful grasp;
human
She is a devil, too, and mocked me, exclaimed the man moodily, but dashing the knife to the ground.
gpt
Who let thee in, Gunga? Go, I want thee not--away! tempt me no more, else I will strike!
human
Fear him not, lady, cried the girl, picking up the dagger hastily;
gpt
--and her eyes flashed--
human
Go, Radha, he said.
gpt
Go, sister----
human
I will not go, Moro Trimmul, cried his sister excitedly.
gpt
I was not afraid of you when that dagger's point was at my heart. For myself I am not afraid of your threats, or your words. What you can do to me, what you can say of me, I know not. Whatever it be, and this girl is witness, I fear it not. What men would say of the Pundit who wronged his sister--you know; and how they would revile and spit at you. Say it, sir, and I follow you through Dekhan, through Hind, till I die by your hand. If you make me shameless you shall be shameless with me; but this remember, I warn them all in the house of you,--I warn Tara of you,--and no harm shall come to her, for your honour is dearer to me, than mine to you.
human
If thou hast any influence over him, she continued to Gunga;
gpt
I love you, lady, and honour you, said the girl, reverently touching Radha's feet;
human
said the girl, bursting into tears,
gpt
I will come and watch with thee, said Radha, in a whisper, for her brother had again thrown himself on the bed, and covered himself with a sheet, and she feared to excite him;
human
It may not be, lady, replied the girl.
gpt
If he kill me, what matter? who would miss the Moorlee, or grieve for her? But you, his sister, must not meet this peril; the Holy Mother has already saved you from one terrible danger, and fate is never to be dared twice. Only believe that one as devoted as yourself watches him, and one to whom life is of no account. Go, do not speak to him now. This madness will pass away, and I will come and tell you of him.
human
Is she gone, Gunga? said Moro Trimmul to the girl, who, after Radha's departure, had sat down by the bed and was fanning him.
gpt
I hear no one speaking to you.
human
Yes, I sent her away. I feared for her,
gpt
It was well done, Gunga, else--else I might have killed her----Ay, girl, he resumed, after a pause,
human
I had killed her but for Tara. Why did she come and not stay? Why did she take the knife from me?
gpt
Thou art always raving of that girl like a fool, Moro Trimmul, said Gunga impatiently.
human
It was I that saved thy sister, else there was blood in thine eyes, and a devil at thy heart; what if thou hadst struck her?
gpt
She and Tara are one, he said gloomily;
human
May dirt fall on their money, and thine too, she replied sulkily.
gpt
I want none of it.
human
Thou art insolent, girl.
gpt
I am a fool, Moro Trimmul, to bear with thee,