HIRA'S POISON TREE HAS BLOSSOMED.
On the day when the _durwans_ had driven out Debendra Babu with
bamboos, Hira had laughed heartily within herself. But later she had
felt much remorse. She thought, "I have not done well to disgrace him;
I know not how much I have angered him. Now I shall have no place in
his thoughts; all my hopes are destroyed."
Debendra also was occupied in devising a plan of vengeance upon Hira
for the punishment she had caused to be inflicted on him. At last he
sent for Hira, and after one or two days of doubt she came. Debendra
showed no displeasure, and made no allusion to what had occurred.
Avoiding that, he entered into pleasant conversation with her. As the
spider spreads his net for the fly, so Debendra spread his net for
Hira.
In the hope of obtaining her desire, Hira easily fell into the snare.
Intoxicated with Debendra's sweet words, she was imposed upon by his
crafty speech. She thought, "Surely this is love! Debendra loves me."
Hira was cunning, but now her cunning did not serve her. The power
which the ancient poets describe as having been used to disturb the
meditations of Siva, who had renounced passion--by that power Hira had
lost her cunning.
Then Debendra took his guitar, and, stimulated by wine, began to sing.
His rich and cultivated voice gave forth such honied waves of song,
that Hira was as one enchanted. Her heart became restless, and melted
with love of Debendra. Then in her eyes Debendra seemed the perfection
of beauty, the essence of all that was adorable to a woman. Her eyes
overflowed with tears springing from love.
Putting down his guitar, Debendra wiped away her tears. Hira shivered.
Then Debendra began such pleasant jesting, mingled with loving
speeches, and adorned his conversation with such ambiguous phrases,
that Hira, entranced, thought, "This is heavenly joy!" Never had she
heard such words. If her senses had not been bewildered she would have
thought, "This is hell."
Debendra had never known real love; but he was very learned in the
love language of the old poets. Hearing from Debendra songs in praise
of the inexpressible delights of love, Hira thought of giving herself
up to him. She became steeped in love from head to foot. Then again
Debendra sang with the voice of the first bird of spring. Hira,
inspired by love, joined in with her feminine voice. Debendra urged
her to sing. Hira, with sparkling eyes and smiling face, impelled by
her happy feelings, sang a love song, a petition for love. Then,
sitting in that evil room, with sinful hearts, the two, under the
influence of evil desires, bound themselves to live in sin.
Hira knew how to subdue her heart, but having no inclination to do so
she entered the flame as easily as an insect. Her belief that Debendra
did not love her had been her protection until now. When her love for
Debendra was but in the germ she smilingly confessed it to herself,
but turned away from him without hesitation. When the full-grown
passion pierced her heart she took service to distract her thoughts.
But when she imagined he loved her she had no desire to resist.
Therefore she now had to eat the fruit of the poison tree.
People say that you do not see sin punished in this world. Be that
true or not, you may be sure that those who do not rule their own
hearts will have to bear the consequences.