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THE WRECK

aja's attitude to wedded life as mere delusion; she had had glimmerings of the same feeling herself. At times during the first few months with Ramesh a certain chord had been struck which seemed to give her the key to some of the mystery of wedlock. Later, when she had escaped from the bondage of school and re- turned to Ramesh there had been moments when her soul seemed to thrill with the strange rhythm of some mystic dance. As she listened to Sailaja's recital she gained some insight into the meaning of these sensa- tions. But there had been nothing deep or lasting in her own experiences and the impression left on her was a fleeting one. There had been nothing between Ramesh and herself to compare with the fervour that characterised the relations of Sailaja and Bipin. Her temporary separation from Ramesh had not caused her any inward pang, and she could not imagine Ramesh sitting outside the zenana trying to devise sub- terfuges that would afford him a glimpse of her.

When Sunday came round Sailaja found herself in a quandary. She was reluctant to leave her new friend alone for the whole day while on the other hand she did not feel sufficiently altruistic to sacrifice the only day in the week on which she could enjoy Bipin's society. Yet she could never taste the full savour of the holiday while she knew that, though Ramesh was living under the same roof, communication between him and Kamala was barred. Alas ! if she could only succeed in bringing about a meeting!

She did not consult the elders at all about her schemes but Chakrabartti was not the sort of man who waits to be consulted. He proclaimed his intention of going out of town for the day on some urgent busi- ness and he impressed on Ramesh that no strangers were expected and that he would lock the front door when he sallied forth. He took care that his daughter

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