She had received enlightenment. She beheld
with open eyes.
Next day our camp was struck and we turned our faces again to
Srinagar and to the day of parting. I set down but one strange
incident of our journey, of which I did not speak even to her.
We were camping at Bijbehara, awaiting our house boat, and the
site was by the Maharaja's lodge above the little town. It was
midnight and I was sleepless - the shadow of the near future was
upon me. I wandered down to the lovely old wooded bridge across
the Jhelum, where the strong young trees grow up from the piles.
Beyond it the moon was shining on the ancient Hindu remains close
to the new temple, and as I stood on the bridge I could see the
figure of a man in deepest meditation by the ruins. He was no
European. I saw the straight dignified folds of the robes. But it
was not surprising he should be there and I should have thought
no more of it, had I not heard at that instant from the further
side of the river the music of the Flute. I cannot hope to
describe that music to any who have not heard it. Suffice it to
say that where it calls he who hears must follow whether in the
body or the spirit.
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