Satkori suggested trying for bail, but Gora resolutely refused either to employ a pleader or to accept any surety.
*' What! ” cried Satkori as he looked at Binoy. “ Who would think Gora had come out of school! He doesn’t seem to have acquired any more common sense than he used to have then.”
" I don’t want to get free merely because I happen to have friends or money,” said Gora. “ According to our scriptures the urgency of doing justice appertains to the ELing. On him recoils the crime of injustice. But if, under this Government, people have to buy their way out of gaol, spending their all to get their bare rights, then I for^ne will not spend a single pice for tho sake of such justice.”
XXVIII • GORA 145 “ Under Mohammedan rule you had to pawn your head to pay the bribes/’ said Satkori.
“ That was a defect of the dispensers of justice, not of the King. Even now, bad judges may take bribes. But, under the present system, it is sheer ruination for the unfortunate man, whether plaintiff or defendant, innocent or guilty, who has to present himself at the King’s door for judgement. Oyer and above that, when the Crown is plaintiff, and people like myself defendants, then all the attorneys and advocates are ranged on the King’s side and none left for me, except my fate. If a just cause be sufficient, why have a Government pleader for the Crown? If, on the other hand, the pleading of advo¬ cates be a necessary part of the system, why should not the opposite side be provided with one also? Is this a policy of Government, or of waging war against the subject? ” “ Why get so warm, old fellow? ” laughed Satkori. “ Civilisa¬ tion is not a cheap commodity. If you arc called upon for subtle judgements, you have to make subtle laws, and if there are subtle laws then you must make a trade of law, in which buying and selling is bound to come in. Therefore civilised courts naturally become markets for the buying and selling of justice, and those who have no money stand every chance of getting swindled. What would you have done if you had been King, let me ask you? ” “ If I had made such extra subtle laws,” replied Gora, “ that even the intelligence of highly paid judges could not fathom their mystery, then at all events I would have pro¬ vided expert advocates for both sides at Government expense. And, in any case, I would not have plumed myself on being superior to Moghul or Pathan rulers, while I kept- saddling my poor subjects with all the cost of obtaining fair judgements.”
“ Ah, I see 1 ” said Satkori. “ However, since that blessed day has not come, and you arc not the King, but only a prisoner at the bar of a civilised Emperor, you must cither spend money or get the help of some lawyer friend gratis. The only alter¬ native will not result in a happy ending.”
“ Let that ending be mine, which will happen without any effort on my part,” said Gora emphatically. “ I want my fate to be the same as the fate of those who are without means in this empire.”
Binoy begged him to be more reasonable, but Gora would not listen, and asked Binoy: “ How do you happen to be here? ” Bmoy flushed slightly. If Gora had not been in prison he GORA COAP.
would probably have told the reason of his visit with a certain amount of defiance in his tone, but in the circumstances he was unable to come out with a direct answer, so he merely said: “ I’ll talk about myself later — now it is your - ” “ To-day I am a guest of the King,” interrupted Gora. “ The King himself is looking after me; none of you need worry about it.”
Binoy knew that it would not be possible to shake G ora’s resolve, so he gave up the idea of engaging a pleader for the defence. He said, however: “ I know you won’t be able to cat prison diet, so I’ll arrange to have your meals sent from outside.”
“ Binoy,” said Gora impatiently, “ why do you waste your energy? I don’t want anything from outside. I don’t want anything better than what is tho common lot of every one in gaol.”
Binoy returned in great agitation to the Bungalow, where Sucharita was on the look out for him at the open window of her bedroom. She had shut herself in, being unable to bear company or conversation.
When she saw Binoy coming towards the Bungalow with an anxious and harassed look on his face, her heart beat fast iu apprehension, but she controlled her feelings with a great effort and, taking up a book, came out of her room. Lolita was in a corner of the sitting-room, occupied with her sewing, which she usually loathed, while Labonya was playing word- making and word-taking with Sudhir, with Lila as onlooker. Haran was discussing with Mistress Baroda the arrangements for the coining entertainment.
Sucharita listened spell-bound to Binoy’s account of Cora's encounter with the police that morning, while the blood mounted to Ixilita’s face and her sewing slipped off her lap on to the floor.
“ Don’t you be anxious, Binoy Babu,” said Mistress Baroda. “ I will myself speak to the Magistrate’s wife about Gourmohan Babu this evening.”
“Please don’t do any such thing,” begged Binoy. “If Gora should hear of it he would never forgive me to the end of his life.”
“ Some steps must be taken for defending him, surely," remarked Sudhir.
Binoy then went on to tell them everything about their attempts to get Gora released on bail, and how Gora had objected to having the services of a pleader.
xxix GORA 147 “ What silly affectation! ” sneered Haran, unable to re¬ strain his impatience at the story.
Up to this time, whatever her real feelings towards Haran :may have been, Lolita had shown him outward respect, and bad never argued with him, but now she shook her head •vehemently as she cried: “ It is not affectation at all— what •Gour Babu has done is quite right. Is the Magistrate here to ibully us, that we should have to be defending ourselves? Have wc to pay them fat salaries and then pay pleaders as •well to rescue us from their clutches? Rather than have this hind of justice, it is truly much better to be in gaol.”
Haran stared at Lolita in surprise. He had seen her as a child, and never suspected that shc#had developed opinions -of her own. He gravely rebuked her for her unseemly out¬ burst, saying: “ What do you understand about such matters? 'Your head seems to have been turned bv the irresponsible -.ravings of raw college youths, who have learnt a few books by rote, but have no ideas or culture of their own! ” He then proceeded to give a description of Gora’s meeting •with the Magistrate the previous evening, and also gave out what the Magistrate had said about it to him afterwards. The affair of Ghosepara was news to Binoy, and it only alarmed .him still more, for he now realised that the Magistrate would mot let Gora off easily.
Haran Babu’s motive in telling the story missed its object .altogether. Sucharita was deeply wounded at the meanness which had allowed Haran to keep silent about the interview all this time, and every one of them began to despise Haran ior his petty spite against Gora, which was now disclosed.
Sucharita kept silent throughout; for a moment it had (Seemed as if she also would break out with some protest, but .she controlled herself and picking up her book turned itsv pages with trembling hands.
Lolita said defiantly: “ I don’t care if Haran Babu sides •with the Magistrate. To me the whole affair only shows Goux .'Babu’s true nobility of mind! ” CHAPTER XXIX .As the Lieutenant-Governor was to arrive that day, the Magistrate came to Court punctually at half-past ten, hoping so finish the work of dispensing justice early.
GORA CHAP- Satkori Babu, who was defending the students, tried to use that opportunity to assist his friend. From the look of things, taken all round, he had come to the conclusion that much the best course was to plead guilty, which he did, putting in a plea for leniency on the ground of the youth and. inexperience of his clients.
Tne Magistrate sentenced the boys to whippings of 5 to- 25 stripes according to their age and the extent of their offence. Gora had no pleader acting for him, and in his own defence he tried to show how unwarrantable the violence- nf the police had been, but the Magistrate cut him short with, a sharp rebuke, and sentenced him to a month’s rigorous- imprisonment for interfering with the police in the discharge- of their duties, telling him that he ought to be grateful for being let off so lightly.
Sudhir and Binoy were present in Court, but the latter- could not bear to look at Gora’s face. He felt a sense of suffocation as lie hurriedly left the Court-room. Sudhir urged! him to return with him to the Government Bungalow, and take his bath and have something to eat. But Binoy paid no¬ attention to his words, and crossing over the Court grounds, he sat down beneath a tree, saying to Sudhir: “ You go back to the Bungalow, I will follow shortly.”
How long Binoy sat thus after Sudhir had left, he knew- not. But after the sun had passed the meridian, a carriage- came and stopped immediately in front of him, and on looking, up Binoy saw Sudhir and Sucharita descending from the carriage and coming towards him. He stood up hurriedly as- they approached, and heard Sucharita saying to him in a. voice charged with emotion: “ Binoy Babu, won’t you come?
Binoy suddenly became conscious that they were becoming: an object of curiosity to passers-by, so he immediately accom¬ panied them back to the carriage, but on the way back none- of them could speak a word.
When they returned to the Bungalow, Binoy saw at onco- that a serious quarrel had been in progress. Lolita had declared her determination not to go that evening to the- Magistrate’s house, and Mistress Baroda was in a terrible- dilemma, while Haran was furious at this unreasonable revolt- on the part of a chit like Lolita. Again and again he deplored the malady which had attacked these modern boys and girls,, making them refuse all discipline. It was the result of being allowed to meet all sorts of people, and talk all kinds o£ nonsense with them I XXIX GORA XXIX GORA When Binoy arrived Lolita said: “ Binoy Babu, I ask your forgiveness. I’ve done you a great wrong by not being able- to, understand the justice of the objections you used to make. It’s because we know nothing of things outside our own narrow circle that we misunderstand things so completely! Panu; Babu, here, says that this Magistrate’s administration is a. dispensation of providence for India. If that be so, all I can say is that our hearty desire to curse such administration- is also a dispensation of providence.”
Haran interjected angrily: “ Lolita, you - ” But Lolita, turning her back on him, exclaimed: “ Be quiet please! I’m not speaking to you 1— -Binoy Babu, don’t you allow yourself to be persuaded by anybody. There must not be any play to-night, not for anything! ” “ Lolita! ” cried Mistress Baroda, trying to cut short her- remarks. “ You’re a nice girl to be sure! Aren’t you going to let Binoy Babu take his bath or have anything to cat? Don’t you know it’s already half-past one? See how pale and tired he looks! ” “ I can’t eat in this house,” said Binoy. “ We are the- Magistrate’s guests here.”
Mistress Baroda first tried to smooth matters, humbly entreating Binoy to stay on, and then, seeing that her daughters- were all silent, she broke out angrily: “ What’s come over you all? Suchi, will you please explain to Binoy Babu that we have given our word, and people have been invited, so- tbat we must get through the day somehow, otherwise what will they all think of us? I shall never be able to show my face beforo them again.”
But Sucharita remained silent with eyes downcast.
Binoy went off to the River Steamer Station near by, andi found that a boat would start in about two hours’ time for Calcutta, arriving there next day at about eight o’clock in the morning.
Haran poured the vials of his wrath on both Binoy and) Gora in his most abusive manner, whereupon Sucharita hastily departed and shut herself up in the next room. She was- followed shortly after by Lolita, who found her lying on the bed, covering her face with her hands.
Lolita, bolting the door from inside, went gently up to' Sucharita and, sitting beside her, began to pass her fingers- through her hair. After some time, when Sucharita had. recovered her composite, Lolita quietly lifted her hands- away from her face, and when she could thus see her freely GORA CHAP.
'flhe whispered in her ears: “ Didi, let us leave this place and -return to Calcutta. We can't, posaiblv go to the Magistrate’s place to-night.”
For a long time Sucharita made no replv, but when Lolita had repeated her suggestion several times,* she sat up on the bed and said: “ How can we do that, dear? I never wanted •to come at all, but since father has sent me, how can I leave -till I have fulfilled liis object? ” “ But father knows nothing of all that has happened now,” -argued Lolita. If ho knew he would never have asked us >to stay.”
“ How can we be so sure, dear? ” said Sucharita wearily.
“ But tell me, Didi,” said Lolita, “ will you really be ablo to go through your part? How can you ever go to that Magistrate’s houso? And then to stand on the stage, all dressed up, and recite poetry! I couldn’t utter a single word •even if I bit my tongue till the blood flowed! ” “ I know, dear,” said Sucharita. “ But one has to endure •even the torments of hell. There's no escape for us now. Do you think I shall ever in my life forget this day? ” Lolita became angry at Sucharita’s submissivcncss, and •returning to her mother, said: “ Aren’t you going, mother? ” “ What’s the matter with the girl? ” exclaimed tho •mystified Baroda. “ We’ll have to be there at nine o’clock at night! ” “ I was talking about going to Calcutta,” said Lolita.
“ Just listen to her! ” cried Baroda.
“ And Sudhir-dada,” said Lolita, turning to him, “ are you also going to stay on here? ” Sudhir had been upset at Gora’s sentence of imprisonment, but he was not strong-minded enough to resist the temptation to show off his talent before such a distinguished company of sahibs. He mumbled out something to the effect that he had his hesitations, b.ut he would nevertheless have to go to tho ••entertainment.
“ We are wasting time in all this to-do,” said Mistress ."Baroda. “ Let us go and take a rest, or else we shall look so •worn out to-night that wc shan’t be fit to be seen. No one ■must leave their beds till half-past five.” With which she •packed them all off to their bedrooms.
They all fell asleep except Sucharita, to whom sleep would mot come, and Lolita, who remained sitting bolt upright on *aer bed.
The steamer’s siren was sounding repeatedly for tho XXIX GORA passengers to come aboard, till at length it was time for her to cast off, when, just as the sailors were on the point of raising the gangway planks, Binoy, who was standing on the upper deck, saw a Bengali lady hastening towards the boat. Her dress and figure resembled Lolita’s, but at first Binoy could hardly believe his eyes. When, however, she came nearer, there could no longer be any doubt. For a moment he thought that she had come to fetch him, but then he remembered that Lolita also had been against going to the Magistrate’s house that night.
Lolita just managed to catch the steamer, and as the sailors were engaged in casting off, Binoy came hurrying down in great alarm to meet her.
“ Let 11s go up on to the upper deck,” she said.
“ But the steamer is starting,” exclaimed Binoy in dismay.
■. “ 1 know that,” replied Lolita, and without waiting for Binoy she went up the stairs.
The steamer started with its siren hooting, and Binov, having found a chair for Lolita on the upper deck, looked at her with silent question in his eyes.
“I am going to Calcutta,” explained Lolita, “I found I couldn’t possibly stay on.”
“ And what do the others say? ” asked Binoy.
‘‘ LTP 1° n°w no one knows,” said Lolita. “ I left a note and they will know when they read it.”
Binoy was taken aback at this exhibition of self-will on Lolita’s part, and he began hesitatingly: “ But - ” Lolita stopped him with: “Now that the steamer has started what is the use of saying ‘ But ’? I don’t see why, because I happen to have been born a girl, I should have to put up with everything without protest. For us, also, there are such words ns possible and impossible, right and wrong. It would have been easier for me to commit suicide than to have taken any part in that play of theirs.”
Binoy saw that what was done was done, and no good would now come of worrying as to whether it was good or bad.
After some moments of silence Lolita went on: “I have been very unfair to your friend, Gourmohan Babu. I don't know why, but somehow, from the time I first saw him and heard him talk, my mind has been set against him. He always spoke with such vehemence, and you all seemed to say ‘ Yes ’ to whatever he said, it used to make me angry. I never could bear to be forced into anything, whether by speech or action. But now I see Gourraohan Babu forces GORA CHAP.
things on himself as we ii as on other people — thats real power — I’ve not seen another man like him.”
Thus Lolita talked on, not only because of her contrition for the way she had misjudged Gora, but because misgiving about what she had done just now would persist in raising its head in her inner consciousness; nor had she been able to realise how awkward it would be to have Binoy as her sole companion on board the steamer; but knowing full well that the more shame you show the more shameful it all gets to be, she began to chatter away for all she was worth.
Binoy, however, was at a loss for words. He was thinking on the one hand of the trouble and insult which had befallen Gora at the hands of the Magistrate, and on the other of his own disgrace in having come here to perform at the house of that same Magistrate. Over and above this there was this awkward situation with Lolita. These had combined to render him speechless.
In the old days such foolhardiness on Lolita’s part would have earned her hi3 censure, but now he could not entertain any such feeling. In fact, mixed with his surprise at her escapade was a certain amount of admiration for her pluck, and there was further the joy at the thought that, out of the whole party, he and Lolita were the only ones who had shown any real feeling about the insult to which Gora had been subjected.
For this defiance of theirs Binoy alone of the two would not have to suffer any untoward consequences, but Lolita, would hove to taste its bitter fruit for many a long day to come. How strange that Binoy should always have considered this very Lolita to be against Gora. The more he pondered over it, the higher grew his admiration for her intolerance- of wrong-doing, her courage of conviction, regardless of the dictates of mere prudence,— so much so that he knew not how to contain his feelings.
He felt that Lolita had rightly looked down upon him as lacking in strength and courage of conviction. He would never have been able to thrust aside so boldly all considera¬ tions of praise and blame from his own people, in order to pursue what he himself considered the right course. How often had he failed to be his own true self for fear of displeasing Gora, or lest Gora should think him weak, and then had. deceived himself by subtle argumoit into the belief that Gora’s view was his own!
He realised how superior Lolita had proved ncrs<tlf to him XXX GORA an the independence of her intellect, and honoured her accord¬ ingly. He badly wanted to ask Lolita’s pardon for the way he had so often misjudged and inwardly blamed her in the past,— but could think of no way of putting bis feelings into ■words. The vision of womanhood which he had gained to-day in the light of the glory which Lolita’s beautifully courageous net had cast round her, made him feel that his very life was indeed fulfilled.
CHAPTER XXX As soon as they arrived in Calcutta, Binoy took Lolita to Parosh Babu’s house.
Before they had thus been together on the steamer, Binoy did not know what his exact feelings towards Lolita were. His mind had been fully occupied with his disputes with her, and his chief object had been, almost every day he met her, how to patch up a peace with this untamcable girl. Sucharita had risen on the horizon of Binov’s life like the evening star, radiant with the pure sweetness of womanhood, and he had realised how his nature had expanded into completeness with the joy of this wonderful manifestation. But other stars had also arisen, and he could not clearly recollect when it had co me to pass, that the first star, which had heralded for him the world’s festival of light, had again vanished below the horizon.
From the moment the rebel Lolita had stepped on to the steamer, Binoy had said to himself: “ Lolita and I now stand alone, side by side, against the rest of Society,” and he could not put out of his mind the fact that in her trouble Lolita had left every one else to come and join him. No matter what her reason or purpose might be, it was plain that Binoy was no longer merely one amongst others to Lolita, he was alone beside her, in fact the only one. All her own people were far away while he was near, and this sense of nearness thrilled in his heart like a tremor of an impending flash in clouds laden with lightning. • When Lolita had retired to her cabin for the night, Binoy felt unable to sleep. So taking off his shoes he began to pace noiselessly up and down the deck. There was no special reason for guarding Lolita during the journey, but Binoy could not bring himself to forgo any of the delights of the novel and GORA CHAP.
unexpected responsibility which had been thrown on him, and so took on himself this needless vigil.
There was ineffable depth in the darkness of the night.' ihc cloudless sky was filled with stars. The trees lining the bank were massed together like a solid black plinth supporting the sky overhead. Below flowed the swift silent current of the broad river. And in the midst of it all lay the sleeping Lolita. Just this much had happened,— that Lolita had trustfully C:ed in his hands this slumber of hers in all its peaceful ut7> — and nothing more; which charge Binoy had ac¬ cepted as the most precious of all gifts, and was keeping watch accordingly.
Neither father, nor mother, nor any relative was near, and vet Lolita was able to entrust her beautiful body to this strange bed, allowing herself to sleep without care or fear; the regulur heaving of her breast keeping time to the rhythm of the poem of her slumber; not a stray lock of her skilfully bound tresses out of place; both her hands, so soft in their expression of womanly tenderness, resting on the counterpane with all the languor of complete confidence; her restless tripping feet in repose at last, like the ended cadence of the music of a festival just over, —this was the picture that filled Binoy’s imagination.
Like a pearl in its shell, Lolita lay wrapped in the silent darkness, enveloped by the starry heavens, and to Binoy this repose, in its rounded-off perfection, seemed the only thing that mattered in all the world that night. “ I am awake! I am awake! ” were the words which rose, like a triumphant trumpet- blast, from the depths of Binoy’s awakening manhood, and nunglcd with the silent message of the ever-awakc Bridegroom, who watches over the universe.
But there was also another thought which kept recurring to him through the darkness of this moonless night: " To-night Gora is in gaol!” Up to now Binoy had' shared all his friend s joys and sorrows,— this was the first time it had hap¬ pened otherwise. He knew quite well that, to a man like Gora, gaol meant no real hardship, but from first to last, throughout this important episode in Gora’s life, Binoy Jiad been away from his friend, and had had no hand in the affair. When the separated currents of their two lives would be coming together once more, would the void created by this separation ever be filled again? Did it not mean the end of their rare and unbroken friendship?
So, as the night wore on, Binoy felt, at one and the same time, both fulfilment and emptiness, and stood overcome, at GORA 155 the meeting-place of creation and destruction, gazing' out into- the darkuess.
When the cab had drawn up at Paresh Babu’s door, and LohtA descended, Binoy saw that she was trembling and that it was costing her a great effort to pull herself together. The- fact was, she had up to now been wholly unable to estimate the enormity of her offence against society in having ventured, on this risky proceeding. She knew quite well that her father would never reproach her in words, but for that very reason, she feared his silence more than anything else.
Binoy was puzzled to decide what was the right thing to- do under the circumstances. In order to test whether she would feel still worse if be remained with her, he said halt¬ ingly: “ I suppose I had better be going.”
No, no, come along and see father,” replied- Lolita, hurriedly.
Binoy was inwardly delighted at the- eagerness in her words. His duty, then, was not finished with merely bringing her home. Owing to this accident his life had become bound to Lolitate by a special tic. He felt he must now stand by her with oven greater firmness. The thought that Lolita imagined she could, depend upon him touched him deeply, and he felt as if she hud grasped his hand for support. If Paresh Babu became angry with Lolita for her rash and unconventional conduct, then, he felt, lie must take the responsibility on himself, accepting all. the blame, and like protecting armour save her from censure.
But Binoy did not quite understand what was passing in Lolita s mind. It was not that she wanted Binoy to act as a protecting barrier, the real reason was that she never liked, concealment and now wanted Paresh Babu to know exactly what she had done in the fullest detail'. She wanted to bear the full brunt of her father's judgement, whatever it might be.
Prom early morning she had been feeling angry with Binoy.. That this was unreasonable she knew, but ouriously, this know¬ ledge increased rather than diminished her annoyance.
Her state of miud, on board the steamer, had been. different. From her childhood she had been subject to fits of. temper, which led her into doing silly things. But the present escapade was a really serious one. That Binoy should have got mixed up in the affair made it all the more awkward, but then again,, she also felt a certain secret exultation, as at some forbidden- indulgence.
This taking shelter with a comparative stranger, this coming, so close to him without any screen of family or. society, between.
GORA CHAP.
them, was no doubt a critical situation to be gravely exorcised .about, but Biuoy’s natural delicacy of behaviour had cast such ..a protecting veil of purity over it, that she felt free to delight in his innate modesty which was thus revealed to her 11m ■hardly seemed to be the same Bmoy who had joined in all their fun and amusements, who had talked, and joked so freely with them, and even been so familiar with the very servants. He could so easily have thrust himself on her now, on the pre¬ text of taking care of her,— he came all the nearer to her heart because he had so carefully kept at a distance.
In her cabin, that night, all these thoughts kept her wakeful, and after tossing restlessly about in her bod through the long .hours, at length it seemed to her that the night bad passed and dawn was breaking. She softly opened her cabin door and peeped out. The night was near its end, but its dew-laden darkness still cluog to the river-bank and to the rows of trees which lined it. A cool breeze had sprung up and was rippling the surface of the water, and from the engine-room below came sounds of the resumption of the next day’s work.
Lolita, coming out of her cabin, became aware, as she stepped towards the front deck, that Binoy was lying asleep on a deck¬ chair, wrapped in his shawl. Her heart beat quickly as she realised that he must have been keeping watch over her a l night,— so near, and yet so far! Immediately she slipped back to her cabin with tremulous footsteps and, standing at the door, gazed on Binoy sleeping amidst the darkness of those unfamiliar -river scenes,— his figure, for her, becoming the centre of the galaxy of stars which watched over the world As she looked on, her heart filled with an indescribable ■ sweetness and her eyes brimmed over with tears. It seemed as though the God, whom her father had taugut her to worship, had come to-day and blessed her with outstretched hand; and, at the sacred moment when, on the slumbering bank of the river, cosy under the foilage of its dense woods, the hrst •secret union of the- coming light with the departing darkness took place, the poignant music of some divine vina seemed to -ring through this vast star-spangled chamber of the universe.
At a sudden sleepy movement of Binoy s hand Lolita •slipped back into her cabin, and shutting the door lay down on her bed again. Her hands and feet were cold, and for a long time she was unable to control the beating of her heart.
The darkness gradually melted away, and the steamer began to move. Lolita, after performing her toilet, came out and .stood by the railing- of the deck. Binoy also had wakened on XXX GORA hearing the warning whistle of the steamer, and with hia eyes towards the east was awaiting the first blush of the coming dawn.
When he saw Lolita come out on deck he rose, and was preparing to retire into his cabin, when Lolita greeted him, and said: “ I’m afraid you did not get much sleep last night.”