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THE WRECK

Annada. "But whom is she to marry, Jogen?"

Jogendra. "There's only one man. It would be dif- ficult to find any one else after what has happened and all the talk that's going on. There's only poor old Akshay; he's not easily choked off. Tell him to take a pill and he'll take it. Bid him marry and he'll marry."

Annada, "Are you mad, Jogen? Do you think Hem would ever marry Akshay?*'

Jogendra, "I'll manage to get her consent if only you don't interfere."

"No, Jogen, no," exclaimed his father, "I can't have you trying your persuasion on Hem; you'll only frighten her and worry her out of her wits. Leave her alone for a little. Poor girl, she has had a trying experience and she needn't marry all at once."

"I'm not going to put any pressure on her ; I'll make every endeavour to be considerate and gentle with her. Do you think I can't speak to her without quarrel- ling?"

Jogendra was not in the habit of letting the grass grow under his feet He accosted Hemnalini as soon as she had completed her coiffure and emerged from her room. "Hem, I want to have a talk with you."

Hem's pulse quickened at his words. She followed slowly to the sitting-room and waited for him to begin.

"Have you noticed how ill dad is looking?" he asked her.

Hemnalini said nothing but her expression betrayed the anxiety that she felt.

Jogendra. "Mark my words, he'll have a serious illness unless we do something."

His tone indicated that he held her responsible for the state of their father's health. Hemnalini looked down and began to pluck the fringe of her dress.

"What's over is over," Jogendra proceeded : "the more regrets you entertain for the past the more dis-

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