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THE WRECK 153

the artifices to which the youth had resorted after their marriage in order to pass through the lines of their enemies — the old people — and visit his girl-bride; the times when he had been unsuccessful and the times when he had been caught ; and how when all meetings had been forbidden they had consoled themselves by exchanging glances in a mirror without their elders' knowledge while Bipin was at his midday meal. Sailaja's face lit up as she recalled the fun they had enjoyed in those bygone days.

A time had come when Bipin had to attend the office all day, and she described at length how they missed each other and how Bipin would occasionally play truant and slink off home.

It had been arranged once that he should be absent in Patna for a few days in connection with his father's business. Sailaja had said to him, "Do you feel that you can go to Patna and stay there?" and he had answered boastfully, "Of course I can." The tone of his reply had hurt Sailaja's pride and she had vowed to herself that she would not show the least sign of regret on the eve of his departure; but her determina- tion had dissolved in a flood of tears, and next day when all was ready for the journey Bipin had devel- oped a headache and some mysterious malady which necessitated his arrangements being cancelled. Then the doctor had come and prescribed for him, and he and Sailaja had secretly poured the medicine down the drain and the patient had marvellously recovered !

To all appearances Sailaja was so absorbed in her reminiscences that she had lost all count of time ; yet at a faint sound from the front gate she jumped up at once. It was Bipin Babu back from the office. While apparently immersed in her diverting memories of the past she had been listening eagerly for that dis- tant footfall out on the road by the garden-gate.

It must not be supposed that Kamala regarded Sail-

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