Chapter 13Imagine something-purer far,
More free from stain of clay
Than friendship. Love, or ‘Eassion are,
yet human stiff as they:
And if thy lip, for love like this,
Nop mortal word can frame,
Go, ask of angels what it is,
And call it by that name!
—Thomas Moore.
It was nearly 11 o’clock at night when Priyam entered her room in the farmhouse.
But before the door was ajar, the sound of pacing footsteps met Priyam’s ears and the light from a corner lamp crept out to welcome her. Aashi evidently was wide-awake and pacing around the room with much energy.
‘Oh, hi,’ she said turning as Priyam entered the room, ‘I thought you’d never come.’
‘Well, we do stay up late when we come here. And I thought you’d have gone to sleep.’
‘Sleep? How could I’ve slept without wishing you sweet
