CHAPTER XIX.
DESCENT.
On the night of that day, Debendra Datta, alone, in disguise, excited by wine, went to Hira's house in search of Kunda Nandini.

He looked in the two huts, but Kunda was not there.

Hira, covering her face with her _sari_, laughed at his discomfiture.

Annoyed, Debendra said, "Why do you laugh ?" "At your disappointment.

The bird has fled; should you search my premises you will not find it." Then, in reply to Debendra's questions, Hira told all she knew, concluding with the words, "When I missed her in the morning I sought her everywhere, and at last found her in the Babu's house receiving much kindness." Debendra's hopes thus destroyed, he had nothing to detain him; but the doubt in his mind was not dispelled, he wished to sit a little and obtain further information.