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THE WRECK

Hemnalini stared at her father, wondering what was coming.

"I'm so delighted at the prospect of this match, dear," he went on, "that I can't contain myself any longer. My one fear is that something may happen to prevent it. It's this, dear: Nalinaksha's mother has this evening made a proposal of marriage to you on her son's behalf."

Hemnalini blushed and faltered, "Why, really, dad! It's quite impossible."

She was overcome with confusion when her father sprang this proposal on her for she had never thought of Nalinaksha as a possible husband.

"Why is it impossible?" asked Annada Babu.

"Nalinaksha!" exclaimed Hemnalini, '*how could it be possible?"

It was hardly a logical answer, but it was in- finitely more conclusive than any logic. Hemnalini took refuge in the verandah from a situation that was becoming strained.

Annada Babu's hopes were dashed; this opposi- tion was a thing that he had not anticipated. He had confidently assumed that his daughter would be de- lighted at the prospect of marrying Nalinaksha. Stunned by his disappointment the old man stared rue- fully at the flickering oil-lamp while he mused over the insoluble riddle of the feminine temperament, and not for the first time lamented that Hemnalini had no mother.

Meanwhile Hem herself sat in the unlighted ve- randah while the hours slipped by. At last she hap- pened to glance into the room and at the sight of her father's disconsolate face her conscience smote her. She hurried indoors and posted herself behind his chair, murmuring, as she stroked his head, "Come, father, your supper was ready long ago ; it must be cold by now."

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