If you had as much to bear as I have, you would have destroyed yourself before this time." Suicide! this disastrous word struck heavily on the ear of Kunda; shuddering, she sat down.

During the night she had frequently contemplated this step, and these words from Hira's mouth seemed to confirm her purpose.
Hira continued: "Now hear what my troubles are.

I also loved a man more than my own life.

He was not my husband, but why should I hide my sin from my mistress?
it is better to confess it plainly." These shameless words did not enter Kunda's ear; in it the word "suicide" was repeating itself, as though a demon kept whispering, "Would it not be better for you to destroy yourself than to endure this misery ?" Hira continued: "He was not my husband, but I loved him better than the best husband.

I knew he did not love me; he loved another sinner, a hundred times less attractive than I." At this point, Hira cast a sharp, angry glance from under her eyelids at Kunda, then went on: "Knowing this, I did not run after him, but one day we were both wicked." Beginning thus, Hira briefly related the terrible history.