the only sound is the cry of jackals in the wilderness and the loud noise of the dogs, the great band of enemies to thieves. My mother, how is it possible, that in such a night as this then wast able to bring thy dead son from out-side the house. (_Goes near the corpse_). _Sabitri._ I have placed the circle; and why do you come within it? _Saralota._ Ah! my husband can never be able to live on seeing the death of this his land-conquering and most dear brother. (_Weeps_). _Sabitri._ You are envying my child; you all-destroying wretch, the daughter of a wretch! Let your husband die. Go out, just now; be out; or else, I shall place my foot on your throat, take out your tongue and kill you immediately. _Saralota._ Ah! such Shoranan[78] (six-mouthed) of gold, whom our father-in-law and mother-in-law had, is now gone into the water. _Sabitri._ Don’t look on my child; I forbid you—you destroyer of your husband. I see, your death is very near. (_Goes a little towards her_). _Saralota._ Ah! how very cruel are the formidable arms of Death? Ah Yama! you gave so much pain to my honest mother-in-law. _Sabitri._ Calling again! Calling again! (_takes hold of Saralota’s neck by her two hands and throws her down on the ground_). Thou stupid, beloved of Yama. Now will I kill thee (_stands upon her neck_). Thou hast devoured my husband; again, thou art calling your paramour to swallow my dear infant. Die, die, die, die now. (_Begins to skip upon the neck._) _Saralota._ Gah, a, a, (_death of Saralota._) _Enter_ BINDU MADHAB. _Bindu._ Oh! She is lying flat here. Oh mother, what is that? Thou hast killed my Saralota (_taking hold of Saralota’s head_). My dear Sarala has left this sinful world. (_After weeping, kisses Saralota._) _Sabitri._ Gnaw the wretch and destroy her. She was calling Yama to devour my infant; and therefore I killed her. (_Standing on her neck_). _Bindu._ As the mother, having destroyed the child whom she was fondling for making it sleep on her lap, on awaking will go to destroy herself, so wilt thou, Oh my mother! go to kill thyself, if thine insanity passing off thou can’st understand, that thy most beloved Saralota was murdered by thee. It will be good if that lamp no more give its light to thee. Ah! how very pleasant it is for a woman to be mad, who has lost her husband and son! The deer-like mind being enclosed within the stone walls of madness can never be attacked by the great tiger Sorrow. I am thy Bindu Madhab. _Sabitri._ What, what do you say?