EXPLANATION.
In due time Surja Mukhi satisfied Nagendra's inquiries, saying--
"I did not die. What the _Kabiraj_ said of my dying was not true. He
did not know. When I had become strong through his treatment, I was
extremely anxious to come to Govindpur to see you. I teased the
_Brahmachari_ till he consented to take me. On arriving here, we
learned you were not in the place. The _Brahmachari_ took me to a spot
six miles from here, placed me in the house of a Brahmin to attend on
his daughter, and then went in search of you: first to Calcutta,
where he had an interview with Srish Chandra, from whom he heard that
you were gone to Madhupur. At that place he learned that on the day we
left Haro Mani's house it was burned, and Haro Mani in it. In the
morning people could not recognize the body. They reasoned that as of
the two people in the house one was sick and one was well, that the
former could not have escaped from want of strength; therefore that
Haro Mani must have escaped and the dead person must be myself. What
was at first a supposition became established by report. Ram Krishna
heard the report, and repeated it to you. The _Brahmachari_ heard all
this, and also that you had been there, had heard of my death, and had
come hither. He came after you, arriving last night at Protappur. I
also heard that in a day or two you were expected home. In that belief
I came here the day before yesterday. It does not trouble me now to
walk a few miles. As you had not come I went back, saw the
_Brahmachari_, and returned yesterday, arriving at one this morning.
The window being open, I entered the house and hid under the stairs
without being seen. When all slept I ascended; I thought you would
certainly sleep in this room. I peeped in, and saw you sitting with
your head in your hands. I longed to throw myself at your feet, but I
feared you would not forgive my sin against you, so I refrained. From
within the window I looked, thinking, 'Now I will let him see me.' I
came in, but you fell senseless, and since then I have sat with your
head on my lap. I knew not that such joy was in my destiny. But, fie!
you love me not; when you put your hand upon me you did not recognize
me! I should have known you by your breath."