Anunda hesitated. As yet no difference had arisen between them, and Radha still looked up to her, more with the respect of a child for its mother than as a sister-wife would comport herself to her equal. Should she tell Radha all? It had occurred to her that he had imposed upon her some task which she hesitated to perform--that Radha had some impatience of her brother's presence. It might be a demand for money--it might be in relation to the political objects of his mission, of which Anunda had a deep dread, lest her husband should become an active party, and so be embroiled with the Mahomedan officers of the country. She considered for a moment: but Anunda's was no timid nature. She was not afraid of Radha; and with Tara's happiness at stake, she could risk no ceremony with the sister of him who had evidently caused more than a passing cloud. "Radha," she said gently, "thou art more than a sister-wife to me. Nay, as a daughter I have trusted to thee the happiness which lay nearest my heart and hers; and I believe thee faithful to it, and that this home and all in it is growing precious to thee." "To me? Ah, yes, O sister and mother, too! Radha is new to you all," she replied, "but will be true now, very true, and will not fail! O mother, if you could know what it is to me to have a loving home!" "Then Tara must not be injured--no evil must come to her," said Anunda, interrupting her. "To Tara, mother? We are sisters, who will do her evil?" "I fear thy brother, Radha--not thee. Hath he said aught to thee?" returned Anunda. "My brother! O, heed him not, he will soon go," returned Radha, her features expressing distress and agitation, and she already feared the worst. "Ah, then, it is as I expected--as she dreaded. Radha, this must not be. Hast thou any power over him?" "None," said the girl, bursting into tears, for what she had most apprehended appeared to have reached her at last--"none. He has been wilful always--to me, to our father when he lived, and to all. Where he goes--who are his companions--what he does--no one knows except our Prince whom he serves, and Tannajee--who came so suddenly that night--whom I showed to you. No, mother, I have no power and no influence. What does he care about me?" "He must care," said the matron stoutly, "or he must care for me; and yet, for thy sake, I would not provoke him. But, O Radha! when thou hast had a child lying at thy heart--drinking its life from thy breast--climbing about thee--thou wilt understand what a woman can dare for it--what I could dare for Tara! Wilt thou speak to him, or shall I?"