the mystery. Lo! Suki's mother had vanished, bolting the door after her!
Matangini's intelligent mind now comprehended everything. Her resolution was formed at once with her usual promptitude.
In the evening, Mathur Ghose came and laid himself at her feet. The indignantly contemptuous repulse he met with, wounded and mortified him. He determined to gratify at once both revenge and lust.
"You shall be mine yet, life," said Mathur, as with a demoniacal look he was departing for that evening.
"Never!" said Matangini, concentrating the energy of twenty men in her look, "Never yours. Look here;" and she placed herself immediately in front of him "look; I am a full-grown woman, and at least your equal in brute force. Will you call in allies?" Mathur Ghose stood bewildered at this wonderful challenge.
"Hunger shall be my ally. I lift not a finger against a woman," said Mathur, recovering himself.
"Hunger shall be my ally," said Matangini, in return.
Mathur had resolved to starve her to compel her compliance. Matangini had resolved to starve herself to be rid from his power.
Both kept their word. Mathur visited her daily, to watch the effect. Matangini was literally starving when Madhav rescued her.
Madhav departed before it was quite daylight. Matangini was too feeble to be immediately
