I can no longer associate with you." Thus saying, Surendra departed with a sorrowful heart.
Debendra, greatly afflicted at losing his one friend, sat some time in repentant thought.

At length he said: "Let it go! in this world who cares for any one?
Each for himself!" Then filling his glass he drank, and under the influence of the liquor his heart quickly became joyous.

Closing his eyes, he began to sing some doggerel beginning-- "My name is Hira, the flower girl." Presently a voice answered from without-- "My name is Hira Malini.
He is talking in his cups; I can't bear to see it." Debendra, hearing the voice, called out noisily, "Who are you--a male or female spirit ?" Then, jingling her bangles, the spirit entered and sat down by Debendra.

The spirit was covered with a _sari_, bracelets on her arms, on her neck a charm, ornaments in her ears, silver chain round her waist, on her ankles rings.

She was scented with attar.
Debendra held a light near to the face of the spirit.