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THE WRECK 349

"But where am I to find a girl who would settle down contentedly with me?" asked Nalinaksha.

"Don't trouble your head about that. I'll arrange matters for you and you'll know the result in good time."

Kshemankari had never personally encountered An- nada Babu for she had always remained in her cus- tomary seclusion when he visited her house. That day, however, when the old gentleman looked in dur- ing his evening constitutional she intimated that she wished to see him; and no sooner was he ushered into her presence than she went straight to the point.

"Your daughter," she began, "is a very charming girl and I am exceedingly fond of her. You both know my son Nalin. His character is irreproachable and his professional reputation is high. Do you not agree with me that you might have difficulty in find- ing a better husband for your daughter?"

"You really mean this?" exclaimed Annada Babu. "Why, I never dared to hope for such a thing. I should certainly consider myself very lucky to have Nalinaksha for a son-in-law. But what does he -?"

"Oh, Nalin will be quite agreeable. Unlike most young men of the present day he does what his mother tells him. After all, he should not require much per- suasion! No one could help falling in love with that dear girl. I should like, however, to have them def- initely engaged as soon as possible for I may not have much longer to live."

Annada Babu went home elated and he lost no time in sending for Hem.

"My dear," he commenced, "I'm an old man and my health is far from good, but unless I see you settled first I cannot end my days in peace. You must allow me to be quite frank with you. Hem. You have no mother and I feel entirely responsible for you."

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