Page:The Wreck.djvu/161

THE WRECK

157

that Kamala merely wished to discuss some matter of business, and yet, though this was the view taken by his sober senses, a wave of emotion passed over him when he heard the summons. As he laid aside the Pioneer and followed Bipin through the languorous stillness of the autumn afternoon, broken only by the drowsy hum of bees, he experienced something of the thrill of the lover going in quest of his mate.

Bipin pointed to a door and then left him.

Kamala had come to the conclusion that Sailaja had abandoned her schemes and had joined her husband, and she was sitting on the threshold of the outer door gazing out into the garden. Sailaja had unconsciously attuned Kamala to love. Just as the warm breeze out- side set the leaves whispering and trembling, so from time to time the sough of a sigh in Kamala's breast set something quivering strangely there in inarticulate anguish.

Suddenly Ramesh entered the room and stood be- hind her and she started up in consternation at his low- spoken cry of "Kamala!" The blood coursed through her veins and she who had never felt abashed in his presence before hung her head, unable to face him, and blushed crimson.

In her festive attire and her new-awakened self- consciousness Kamala seemed to Ramesh a new being. Beholding her suddenly in this guise he was thrown off his guard and succumbed to her charm. He slowly approached and paused for a moment or two before he addressed her softly. "Did you send for me, Kamala ?"

Kamala winced at his words. "Most certainly not! I did nothing of the kind. Why should I send for you?" she answered with unnecessary vehemence.

"Well, if you had sent for me it wouldn't have been a crime Kamala."

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