“ No, mother,” answered Lolita, “ I’m not mad — what ^ .am saying I say after due consideration! I refuse to be hedged round on all sides like this — I am determined to be free from :tbis society of Haran Babu and his set! ” “ You, I suppose, call unrestraint freedom! ” said Haran •Babu sarcastically.
“ No,” replied Lolita, “ liberty for me means freedom from, the slavery of falsehood, and from the attacks of meanness.1 Where I see nothing wrong or contrary to my religion why. •should the Brahmo Samaj interfere, and put obstacles in my.
With a display of arrogance Haran Babu turned on Paresh Babu with the words: * There, you see, Parcsh Babu! I .always knew that in the end it would lead to something of this kind! I did my best to warn you but without any .result! ” “ Look here, Panu Babu,” said Lolita. “ I have one warning •to give you — do not have the conceit to offer your advice to Sic who are far greater than you in every respect,” and this parting thrust she left the room.
“ See what a fuss! ” exclaimed Bordashundari; “ now let >us consider what should be done! ” “ Wc shall have to do our duty,” said Parcsh Babu, “ but *we can’t find out what our duty is in such a disturbed atmo- •aphcrc. You will have to excuse me, but I can’t discuss this ^matter now, I want to be left alone for a little.”
u GORA CHAPTER LI Ox hearing what had happened Sucharita began to think that Lolita had made a fine muddle of everything, and after remain¬ ing silent for a little, she said, putting her arm round Lolita’s neck: “ Sister, dear, but this makes me feel afraid! ” “ What arc you afraid of? ” asked Lolita.
“Such a to-do is being made throughout the Brahmo Saraaj," said Sucharita, “ but supposing after all Binoy Babu is unwilling! ” “ He will be willing,” said Lolita with assurance, though her face was lowered.
“ You know,” went on Suclmrita, “ mother has been encouraged by Panu Babu to hope that Binoy would never consent to this marriage when it would mean his leaving his own society. Lolita, why didn’t you think well of all the dilliculties before you spoke like that to Panu Babu? ” “ You needn’t think that I am sorry I spoke! ” cried Lolita. “ If Panu Babu and his party think that by driving me to the edge of the ocean like a hunted animal they will be able to capture me there, they will soon find out their mistake. Ho doesn’t know that I’m not afraid of jumping into the sea, and that I would sooner do that than fall into the jaws of his pack of yelping hounds.”
“ Let us consult father about it,” suggested Sucharita.
“ I can assure you,” answered Lolita, “that father will never join forces with the hunters. He has never wanted to keep us in fetters. Has he ever shown any anger towards us when our opinions differed from his, or tried to limit our freedom by appealing to us in the name of the Brahmo Samaj? How often mother has been annoyed with him for this, but father’s only fear for us was lest we should lose the power of thinking for ourselves. After he has brought us up like this do you imagine he will in the end surrender us into the hands of a gaol superintendent of the Samaj like Panu Babu? ” “ Very well,” observed Sucharita, “ and supposing father offers no objection, what do you propose to do then? ” “ If none of you will do anything, then I will myself - ” began Lolita, but Sucharita interrupted her anxiously: “ No, no, mv dear, you will not have to take any steps! I have thougkffof a plan.”
That evening just as Sucharita was preparing to go round to see Paresh Babu he himself called at her house. It was his GURA CHAP.
habit at this time to walk up and down in the garden alone with his head bowed in thought— it was as if he were smoothing out from his mind all the creases of the day’s work in the pure darkness of evening and preparing himself for the night’s rest by storing up in his heart deep draughts of unsullied peace. To-night when he entered Sucharita’s room with a careworn face, having sacrificed the peace of his lonely evening meditation, Sucharita felt her affectionate heart touched with a pain like that of a mother who sees her child, who ought to. be playing happily, lying still and silent in pain and sickness.
*' You have heard everything, I suppose, Radha? ” asked Paresh Babu.
“ Yes, father,” replied Sucharita, " I’ve heard. But why are you so anxious? ” “Vm only worried about one thing,” answered Paresh Babu, “ and that is whether Lolita will be able to bear the brunt of this storm which she has raised. In the face of excitement a blind pride obscures our minds, but when onc by one the fruits of our actions begin to ripen the strength to- bear the consequences of our acts vanishes. Having thought well of the consequences of her own actions, has Lolita decided what is the best course for her to follow? ” “ I can tell you for certain one thing,” answered Sucharita, “ and it is that Lolita will never be overcome by any penalties which society may see fit to inflict upon her.”
“ I only want to be sure,” explained Paresh Babu, “ that Lolita is not merely showing this spirit of revolt in a moment o£ anger.”
“ No, father,” said Sucharita, looking down, “ if that had been the case I would never have listened to her for a moment. What she had been thinking quite seriously for a long time- came out fully when she received a sudden blow! For a girL like Lolita it will never do now to try and check her. Resides that, father, Binoy Babu is such a good man.”
“ But is Binoy ready to become a member of the Brahmo Samaj? ” asked Paresh Babu.
“ That I can’t say for certain,” replied Sucharita. “ What do you say to our going to see Gor Babu’s mother once? ” “ I had been thinking myself that it would be a good thing if you went,” assented Paresh Babu.
GORA aji CHAPTER LII From Anandamoyi’s house Binoy used to go to his lodgings «very morning, and one day on reaching his room he found a letter awaiting him. The letter was an anonymous one, and •contained a considerable amount of advice as to the un¬ desirability of Binoy marrying Lolita. It was pointed out •that not only would Binoy himself be unhappy in the match •but that it would be a disaster for Lolita also. If however Binoy still persisted, in spite of these warnings, in contem- Cting the marriage, it would be well for him to consider the t that Lolita’s chest was weak and the doctors had even -suspected phthisis.
Binoy was dumbfounded at receiving such a letter, for lie had never imagined that any one could invent such palpable falsehoods. Surely it was plain to everybody that the differ¬ ence in their social customs made it impossible for his marriage with Lolita to take place! It was because of this that he had •so long felt his love for Lolita to be blameworthy. But since such a letter had been sent to him it seemed as if it was recardcd as a certainty in Brahmo Samaj circles, and it pained him excessively to think how the members of her society must oe heaping abuse on Lolita on this score. It seemed to him not only a matter of diffidence, but even of shame, that Lolita’s name should have been thus coupled with his so plainly and made a subject of common discussion. He could only suppose that now Lolita must be reproaching herself for her acquaintanceship with him and cursing the day they had met, and that she would never again be able to bear even the sight of him.
Alas for the human heart! For even in the midst of this •excessive self-reproach there was mixed such a deep and keen joy that his heart was aglow with it. It refused to acknow¬ ledge either insult or shame, and in order that he should not .harbour this feeling Binoy began to pace rapidly;ip and down the verandah. But with the morning light there mingled a kind of madness, so that even the cry of the hawkers as they passed along the street awakened in nis heart a deep restless¬ ness. Had not this flood of abuse which had overwhelmed Lolita taken her and floated her to the secure refuge of his heart? He could not banish from his mind the image of Lolita borne by this flood away from her own society towards him, and bis heart could cry only these words: “ Lolita is GORA CHAP.
mine I Mine alone! ” He had never before had the courago 10 utter these words with such assurance, but to-day, as lie heard the wish of his heart echoed so plainly from outside, h6 could no longer restrain himself.
While he was pacing the verandah in this excited condition he suddenly caught sight of Haran Babu coming towards the house. At once he understood what was behind this anony¬ mous letter.
When he had offered Haran Babu a chair, Binoy waited without displaying his usual sclf-confidcncc. At last Haran Babu began: “ Binoy Babu, you are a Hindu, aren’t you? ” “ Yes, of course lam!” replied Binoy.
“ You must not be angry with my question,” begged Haran Babu. “ We arc often blind when wo do not consider things from all points of view — when there is a danger of our conduct causing trouble iu any society; at such a time wo should welcome as a friend one who asks us what our conduct will lead to, and to what limit we can safely go.”
“ Such a long preamble is quite unnecessary,” said Binoy with an attempt at a laugh. ** It’s not my nature to become distracted at being asked unpleasant questions, nor shall I do any violence to the questioner I What you have to ask mo you can ask me without any fear, no matter what it is.”
“ I don’t wish to accuse you of any wilful transgression,” apologised Haran Babu, “ and it is unnecessary to tell you that the fruit of an indiscretion is often laden with poison.”
“ WYhat it is unnecessary to tell me,” exclaimed Binoy with a shade of annoyance, “ you can leave out. Tell me only what you really want to say.”
“ Is it right,” asked Haran Babu, “ for you who are a Hindu, and who cannot leave the Hindu society, to come and go in Paresh Babu’s home iu such a manner as to give rise to talk about his daughters? ” " Look here, Panu Babu,” complained Binoy. “ I can’t accept all responsibility for what tne people of any society choose to fabricate from any particular occurrence— that depends upon the nature of the people themselves to a large extent. If it is possible for the members of your Brahmo Samaj to discuss Paresh Babu’s daughters in such a way as to create soandal that is a matter of shame for your Samaj rather than for them.” • “ If,” exclaimed Haran Babu, “ any girl is allowed to leave the protection of her mother and go wandering off alone LI1 GORA on a steamer with some outsider, is that not a matter which her society has a right to discuss? Answer me that question!
“ If you arc going to place on an equality some purely external event with a fault of the inner life, then what need was there for you yourself to leave the Hindu society and become a Brahmo? ” asked Binoy. “ No matter what has happened, Panu Babu, I can’t see the necessity for arguing about all these matters. I can very well decide for myself what my own duty is, and you won’t bo able to help me in- that in the least degree.”
“ I don’t want to say much to you,” answered Haran Babu. “ I have one last word to say, and it is that from now you must keep away from there, for if you don’t it will be very wrong of you. By frequenting Parcsh Babu’s home you have only caused trouble, none of you know what injury you have done them all.”
When Haran Babu had gone Binoy felt tortured with, doubts. The noble and simple-hearted Paresh Babu had. welcomed both himself and Gora into his home with such obvious affection; possibly Binoy had on several occasions- overstepped the limits of his rights in the household, but never for one day had he been deprived of his regard and affection; — in this Brahmo home Binoy had found a shelter such as he had not found anywhere else, and it had been so- congenial to his nature that through his acquaintance with, them all his whole life seemed to have gained special strength. And in the family where he had found such a refuge, and had. experienced such affection and such happiness, was the memory of him to be a cause of pain? He had been the cause of a. stain of reproach falling on Paresh Babu’s daughters! And it was he who had brought such a humiliation on the whole future life of Lolita! Was there any remedy for such a crime? Alas! Alas! What a tremendous hindrance in the1 way of truth does the thing which is called society raise! There was no true obstacle to the union of Lolita ana Binoy. God, tho inner Lord of both their hearts, knew how ready4 Binoy was to sacrifice the whole of his life for- her welfare and happiness — was it not He who had drawn Binoy so close to- her: from the very first? — there was no obstacle in His eternal decrees. Was the God who was worshipped in the Brahmo- Samaj by people like Panu Babu some different Being? Was- He not the Ruler of human hearts? Some dreadful pro¬ hibition stands, with its teeth bared, trying to prevent t. heir union. But if he only heeded the commands of society andi GORA C1IAP.
•ui not the precepts of the Lord of all human hearts, would not such prohibition be sinful? But alas! perhaps it was just such prohibition that would have most weight with Lolita 1 And besides that perhans Lolita’s feeling for Binoy was— but there was no end to the doubts with which he was beset.
CHAPTER LIII At the time that Iiaran Babu was visiting Binoy, Abinash had called on Anandamoyi with the news that it had been settled that Binoy was to marry Lolita.
“ That can never be true,” expostulated Anandamoyi.
“ Why should it be untrue? ” asked Abinash. “ Is such a match impossible for Binoy? ” “ That I don’t know,” answered Anandamoyi, but 1 m sure that he could not have kept such au important matter a secret from me. Never! ”,, But Abinash persisted, saying that he had heard it from reliable sources in the Brahmo Saraaj, and that it must be true. He further said that he had foreseen this sad end for Binoy long ago, and had even argued with Gora on the subject. When ho had proclaimed the news to Anandamoyi, he went •downstairs and retailed the news with great gusto to Moliim.
When Binoy returned that morning, Anandamoyi saw from his face that he was greatly troubled. When she had given him his meal she called him into her own room, and asked* him: “ Whv, Binoy, what’s happened? ” “ Mother' just read this letter, will you? ” said Binoy.
When she had finished reading it, Binoy went on: “ This • morning Panu Babu came to see me, and gave me a regular scolding.”
“ What about? ” asked Anandamoyi.
“ He said that my conduct bad given rise to a scandal About Parcsh Babu’s daughters in the Brahmo Saraaj,” explained Binoy.
“ People arc saying that it has been settled that you are to marry Lolita,” said Anandamoyi. “ I don’t sec any cause • for scandal in that I ” “ If the marriage had been a possible one thero would have been no cause for scandal,” said Binoy, " but how wrong it is •to spread such a rumour when such a thing is impossible! It ,is especially cowardly to do so where Lolita is concerned.”
Lni GORA 253 “ If you had any manhood,” said Anaudamoyi, “ you could easily save her from the clutches of such a rumour.”
“ Tell me how 1 " exclaimed Binoy in astonishment.
“ How indeed! ” cried Anundamovi. “ Why, by marrying “ What arc you saying, mother? ” said the astounded Binoy. “ I can’t make out what you think of your Binoy 1 Do you imagine that Binoy has only to say, ‘ I will marry,’ and then the world will have nothing further to say on the subject — that everything simply waits for a nod from “ I don’t see any reason for such a lot of discussion," said Anandamoyi. “ It will be all right if only you do what it is in your power to do. You can surely say that you arc ready to marry.”
“ Would not such an unreasonable proposal bo an insult to Lolita? ” asked Binoy.
“ Why do you call it unreasonable? ” expostulated Ananda¬ moyi. '* Since the rumour has got abroad that you are going to mairy her, then certainly the marriage is regarded as reasonable. I assure you that you need not hesitate for a moment.”
“ But, mother, we must think of Gora, mustn’t we? ” argued Binoy.
“ No, my child," said Anandamoyi decisively, “ this is not a matter in which Gora should be consulted. I know ho will be angry, and I don’t want him to be angry with you. But what can we do? If you have any regard for Lolita you can never allow her to be an object of scandal to her Samaj all her day 8."
But this was more easily said than done 1 Since Gora had been seat to gaol Binoy’s love for him had flowed with re¬ doubled force, and how could he prepare such a heavy blow for him? Further than that there was social custom. To transgress against society is easy enough in mind — but, when the time comes to uct, in how many places do we find that the shoe pinches! A horror of the unknown, a refusal to face the unaccustomed, these make one look back without any reason.
“The more I know of you, mother,” exclaimed Binoy, “ the more astonished I am at you! However do you manage to have such a clear mind? It seems to me that you don’t have to walk. Has God given you wings? Nothing seems able to obstruct you! ” GORA OHAl “ God hasn’t put anv obstructions in my way! laughed Anandamoyi. “He has made everything clear to me!
“But, mother," said Binoy, “ whatever I may say with ray Ups, mv mind docs not keep pace with it! After all ray education, and intelligence, and arguing I suddenly sec that I am an ubsolute fool ' ” At this point Mohim came into the room and began to question Binoy so rudely about his relationship with Lolita that he was humiliated almost beyond endurance, but con¬ trolling himself as well as lie could, he sat with eyes downcast without answering, until Mohim had left the room after abusing every party iu a most scurrilous manner. He gave them to understand that a shameless plot had been hatched in Parcsh Babu’s family to snare Binoy to Ins destruction, and that Binoy had been fool enough to allow himself to bo caught in the trap. “ Just let us sec whether they can deceive Gora like that! ” he had exclaimed. I hey 11 hud him a tougher problem! ".,,, Seeing himself surrounded on all sides by reproaches, Binoy remained seated in silent dismay till Anandamoyi startled him by saying: “ Do you know, Binoy, what you ought to do? You ought to go and see Parcsh Babu. If once jou can discuss things with him everything will become clear.
CHAPTER LIY CHAPTER LIY On suddenly seeing Anandamoyi, Sucharita exclaimed in astonishment: “ Why, I was just on the point of setting out to call on you I ” „ " I did not know that you were getting ready to come, laughed Anandamoyi, “ but I know what it was that was bringing you. I have come on the same errand, for the moment I heard the news I could not contain myself, and felt I must Sucharita was rather surprised to hear that the news had reached Anandaraovi’s ears, and she listened carefully as Anandamoyi said: Mother, I have always regarded Bmoy as my own child. When I came to know how be bad been taken up by you all you don’t know bow I blessed you in my heart t So how could I remain inactive when I heard that you were in trouble? I don’t know whether I can do any- GORA tiling to help you or not — but somehow my mind was so upset that I bad to come tunning to you. My dear, is Binoy the cause of all this trouble? ” *' Not at all! ” exclaimed Sucharita. “ Lolita is responsible for all the agitation that has arisen. Binoy never dreamt that Lolita would come to the steamer without saying a word to any one, and yet people are talking as though the two of them had discussed the plan secretly beforehand. And Lolita is such a spirited girl that she would never contradict the rumour or explain what actually happened.”
“ But something will have to be done about it 1 ” said Anandamoyi. “ Since Binoy heard all this he has not had a moment’s peace of mind— he is even taking all the blame on himself.”
Sucharita flushed slightly and, lowering her face, inquired: 44 Well, do you think that Binoy Babu - ” Look here, my child,” interrupted Anandamoyi on seeing Sucharita ’s painful hesitation. “ I can assure you that what¬ ever Binoy is told to do for Lolita he will do. I have known lum from his childhood, and I have seen that if once he surrenders himself ho can keep nothing back. For that reason I have often had to go in constant fear lest his heart should take him to such a place that there would be no hope of extricating him from it.”
“ You needn’t have any anxiety as to whether Lolita will give her consent,” said Sucharita, feeling a weight lifted from her mind. “ I know her heart quite well. But will Binoy Babu be ready to leave his own society? ” 44 No doubt he would be ready if necessary,” said Ananda¬ moyi, “ but why do you talk about his leaving his society at this stage? Is there any need for that? ” " Why, what do you mean, mother? ” cried Sucharita.
“ Do you mean to say that Binoy Babu can marry a Brahmo girl while remaining a Hindu? ” " If he is willing to do so,” answered Anandamoyi, “ then what objection have you? ” “ I can’t myself see how that could be possible! ” observed Sucharita in confusion.
44 It seems to me the easiest thing in the world, mother,” explained Anandamoyi. “Look here, in my own home I cannot observe the customs which the rest of the family observe — that’s why so many people call me a Christian. Af the time of any special ceremonies I voluntarily keep myself apart. You may smile, my dear, but do you know that even GORA CHAP.
Gora will not take water in my room 1 But why should I for that reason say that the house is not mv home, and that their Hindu society is not my society? I personally can never aay that. I remain in that society, and m that house accept- ing all the abuse they like to give me-but I don t find that such a great hindrance. If the obstacles become insurmount¬ able then I shall take the path which God will pomt out to me, but what I feel I shall say to the very end, and it is their lookout whether they accept me or not. (< “ But,” said Sucharita in some perplexity, look here, you know the opinions of the Bralimo Samaj,— supposing are of the same kind,” interrupted Aiianda- m0vi “ The opinions of the Bralimo Samaj are not somo- thing outside the rest of creation. All those articles which annear in your periodicals he has read to mo quite otten and I don’t see anything wonderfully out of the way in your °P He™ she was interrupted by Lolita entering the room in search of Sucharita. On seeing Anandamoyi there > -boma blushed shyly, for she saw from Sucharita a facetbattheyhad been talking about her. She felt that she would like to have escaped, but there was no excuse for getting away so “”come!7LoUta, como, little mother!" exclaimed Ammdj, moyi, taking her by the hand, and making her sit down close hesidc her as though Lolita were her special possession.
Continuing what she had been saying, Anandamoyi went on to Sucharita: “ Sec here, mother it is one of the most diffiou t things to make bad and good harmomse-and yet in this world they arc found togcthcr-and in that union sorrow and hanniness are found— it is not always evil that is seen but also^good. And if that is possible then I fail to head bent low, and Ananda movi went on: " Will this Brahmo Samaj of yours not permit two people to unite if they wish to? Will your society kc^ apart by its external decrees, two beings whom God has made' one in heart? Little mother, is there no society any¬ where in this world which will ignore small differences of opinion, and allow union in the things that ^lly mattcr. Are human beings meant only to quarrel thus with their God?
f Is it only for this that the thing called society has been created? ” Was this heartfelt enthusiasm which Anandamoyi was displaying in her discussion merely due to her desire to banish opposition to Binoy’s marriage with Lolita? Had she not some idea that by her arguments she would be able to remove what little hesitation was still left in Sucharita’s mind on this subject? For it would never do for Sucbarita to keep such an impression. If it were her conclusion that Binoy could not marry Lolita unless he became a Brahmo, then the one hope which had been buoying up Anandamoyi during these days of anxiety would be. shattered in the dust! That very day Binoy had asked her the question: “ Mother, shall I have to enroll my name in the Brahmo Samaj? Shall I have to accept that also? ” and she had replied: “ No, no f I don’t sec any need of that! ” Binoy had asked further: “And suppose they bring pressure to bear on me? ” “ No,” had observed Anandamoyi alter a short silence, “ this is not a matter in which pressure can be brought to bear.”
But Sucharita did not agree with what Anandamoyi had said, and as she made no answer, Anandamoyi realised that 1 - Sucharita’s mind had not yet given its assent.
Anandamoyi began to say to herself: “ It was only through my affection for Gora that I was able to break through the traditions of my society. But is not Sucharita’s heart attracted to Gora? If it had been, then surely she would not have made so much of such a trivial matter.”
Anandamoyi felt somewhat depressed. There wanted only two or three more days before Gora’s release from gaol, and she had been thinking that there was a field lying ready for him in which he would find, happiness. She felt that now was the time for binding Gora, if ever, for otherwise there was no saving what difficulties he would get into. But to win Gora and keep him bound was not the task of an ordinary girl. On the other hand it would be wrong to give him in marriage to a girl in any Hindu family — that was why she had refused so many applications from fathers of marriageable daughters. Gora used to say that he would not marry at all, and people were astonished that, she, as his mother, had never protested against his decision. Then when at last she had detected signs of bis weakening she had rejoiced greatly, so Sucharita’s silent opposition was a great blow to her. But 12 i GORA CHAP.
she was not a person easily to let go the helm, and she said to herself: “ All right, let us wait and see.”
CHAPTER LV Paresh Babu was saying: “ Binoy, I don’t want you to do anything foolhardv just because of your anxiety to save Lolita from her dilemma. This agitation in our society has not much value— what is exciting them so much just now, they will forget entirely in a few days.”
Binoy felt that he had come braced up to do his duty by Lolita. He knew that such a marriage would be inconvenient from the point of view of society— and over and above that there was Gora’s anger to be considered — but at the call of duty he bad tried to banish all these unpleasant thoughts from his mind. And now when Paresh Babu suddenly wanted to dismiss this appeal of duty altogether Binoy felt all the more averse to turning back. He said: “ I shall never be able to repay you for all the affection you have shown towards me, and it is unbearable to me to think that I have been the cause of the least unhappiness in your family, even for a day.”
“ Binoy, you don’t quite follow me,” expostulated Paresh Babu. “ I am personally delighted that you have such regard for us, but for yon to offer to marry my daughter as a means of showing your respect does not show much regard for my daughter’s feelings. So I explained to you that this difficulty is by no means of such a serious nature that you have to offer to make the least sacrifice.”
Now at any rate Binoy was freed from any sense of responsi¬ bility, but his mind did not rup along the unobstructed path of freedom with quite the same eagerness as a bird rises in the air when released from its cage. Even now he did not show any sign of moving, although the dam of restraint which he had been building for so long from a sense of duty had been found unnecessary. Where until recently he had taken every stop in fear and trembling, drawing back at every moment, he was now occupying the whole space and found it hard to retreat. In the very place to which duty had taken him, dragging him by the hand, and was now saying: “ Now, brother, retreat, you have no need to go further,’ his heart was saying, “ You can retreat if you like, but I remain here.”
LV GORA Now that Parcsli Babu had not given him any further excuse Binoy said: “ You must not think that I was wanting to do something hard at the call of duty. If only you will give your consent nothing could give me greater joy than such good fortune as — I was only afraid lest - ”