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CHAPTER XLII

Before the crisis in Hemnalini's affairs Annada Babu had always enjoyed perfect health, nevertheless he had been in the habit of constantly swallowing nostrums prescribed by physicians of both the western and the indigenous schools of medicine. Now, however, he had lost all inclination for drugs. When his physical disorders existed only in his imagination he had found them an absorbing topic of conversation ; but now that his health was really affected he never made any al- lusion to his bodily ailments.

He had fallen asleep in his chair from utter weari- ness when Hemnalini, hearing Jogendra's step on the stair, laid down her needlework and hurried to the door to warn her brother not to disturb the sleeper. To her dismay she found that he had brought Nalinak- sha home with him I She was on the point of taking refuge in another room when Jogendra interposed.

"Hem !" he called to her, "I've brought Nalinakska Babu. Let me introduce him to you."

Hem stood still in confusion while Nalinaksha ap- proached and bowed without raising his eyes to her face.

Meanwhile Annada Babu had awakened and called for his daughter. Hem re-entered the room and announced in a whisper that "Nalinaksha Babu" was there.

Jogendra ushered in his guest and Annada Babu bustled forward to greet him.

"We are indeed fortunate!" he exclaimed, "in hav- ing a visit from you. Hem, dear, don't run away;

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