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CHAPTER XLV

Ramesh returned to Ghazipur from Allahabad at an early hour in the mrning. The streets were almost empty and in the piercing cold the trees bordering the road seemed to huddle for warmth into their leafy cov- erings. A fleecy mist lay over each hamlet, like a mother-swan brooding over her eggs. As he drove along the deserted thoroughfare to his bungalow, wrapped in a huge overcoat, Ramesh was conscious of nothing but the pulsations of his eager heart.

He stopped his carriage at the gate and alighted; Kamala must have heard the sound of the wheels and would be awaiting him on the verandah. He had brought with him from Allahabad a costly necklace which he intended to throw over her neck himself, and he now took the box containing this ornament out of the capacious pocket of his overcoat. As he approached the bungalow, however, he found all the doors closed and the bearer Bishan slumbering peacefully on the verandah. He paused for a moment in chagrin, then shouted to Bishan by name in the hope that the sound would penetrate indoors and awaken another sleeper. This was a cold welcome for one whom excitement had kept awake half the night !

Repeated shouts failed to awaken Bishan and finally Ramesh had to shake him. The bearer sat up and gazed round for a second or two in bewilderment.

"Is your mistress at home?" asked Ramesh.

For a moment Bishan looked puzzled, then the pur- port of the question suddenly dawned on him.

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