Page:The Wreck.djvu/73

THE WRECK

69

Ramesh had decided to tell Kamala nothing till after the marriage. Then Hemnalini would watch for her opportunity and taking Kamala to her heart would unfold her real life's history to her with loving tender- ness — as painlessly as possible would unravel the meshes of the intricate net in which Fate had wound her. And thus, far away from home; cut off from all their acquaintance, Kamala would drop into her place in their little household without shock or strain.

The silence of the noonday had fallen upon the lane. Workers had departed for the scene of their labours, and leisured folk were preparing for their siesta. The coolness of the coming winter seemed already to temper the heat, and the air was pervaded with the enlivening prospect of the approaching holidays. There was nothing to distract Ramesh in his delineation of the happiness that was to be his, and he laid on the colours with no sparing hand.

His dreams were interrupted by the noise of wheels; a large vehicle had driven up to his door and stopped there. Ramesh knew it to be the school omnibus bring- ing Kamala, and his pulse quickened. How was he to receive Kamala? What subjects of conversation had they in common ? What would be her attitude to him? These were disturbing questions, and he could not face the prospect with equanimity. His two servants were waiting downstairs. They were the first to appear, dragging along Kamala' s trunk, which they deposited in the verandah. Kamala followed them as far as the doorway and halted there.

"Come in, Kamala," said Ramesh. Overcoming a momentary impulse of hesitation Kamala entered the room. Ramesh had planned to leave her at school dur- ing the holidays, and his apparent neglect had cost her many tears. This recollection combined with their long separation to produce in her a sense of estrangement. So Kamala after her entrance refused

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