"I am a woman and no thief, come and see," was the reply.
It struck the slowly opening senses of Karuna that a thief does not usually possess so sweet a voice as the one she heard. Without further parley, therefore, she came to the door and opened it.
"You, Thakurani!" exclaimed Karuna in utter astonishment at beholding Matangini.
"I want to see my sister," said the latter, "lead me to her."
But Karuna's faculties had scarcely recovered from her surprise, and the worthy dame kept on asking questions.
"You here!" she repeated, "and at midnight! What brings you here, mother? Your clothes are wet. What has happened?"
The impatient girl replied not to her questions, but said again in a commanding tone, "Lead me to my sister."
"She is asleep," said Karuna, "yet we will awaken her. But wait, first change your clothes."
"Give me a sari soon if you can, or lead on."
Karuna gave her a sari that was at hand, and Matangini changing her light apparel in a trice followed Karuna to the apartments above stairs.
