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THE WRECK

heart and worship it as in a shrine,' but the disgrace will be the death of us. Marry some decent fellow and be quit of all this wretched melodrama as soon as you can."

Hemnalini was perfectly aware of the absurdity of being melodramatic in public so Jogendra's gibes stabbed her like a knife.

"Have I ever said that I renounce the world and shall never marry?"

"If that isn't your intention then get married. Of course if you say that you could never love a man unless he is a sort of demi-god, then you'll have to stick to your vow of celibacy. We seldom find things just to our taste in this world. We have to accommo- date ourselves to what we can get, and put up with that as human beings."

"Why do you taunt me like this?" exclaimed Hem- nalini, stung to the quick. "Did I say anything to you about love?"

Jogendra. "You haven't said anything, I admit, but I've noticed things. When for frivolous or unfair rea- sons you have conceived a dislike for well-meaning friends, you haven't hesitated to betray your feelings. But you must admit that among all your friends there is one in particular who has been true to you in pros- perity and adversity, through good and bad repute, and whom I respect greatly in consequence. If you want a husband who would give his life to see you happy you know where to look for him. But if you want melodrama- "

Hemnalini rose to her feet. "Please don't speak to me like that. If dad orders me to marry any one I shall do as he tells me. Wait till I disobey him be- fore you talk about melodrama."

Jogendra's tone softened at once. "Hem, dear, you mustn't be angry with me. You know that when anything annoys me I'm apt to talk wildly and say

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