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THE WRECK

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achieve stability of purpose ? Shall I always be liable to waver under external shocks?"

Hemnalini's pathetic appeal caused Nalinaksha to reflect.

"You must understand," he replied, after a brief pause, "that it is in order to nerve us to effort that difficulties are placed in our way. You must not be discouraged."

"Will you be able to visit us to-morrow morningf?" said Hemnalini. "To know that I have your help gives me added strength."

Hemnalini found in the calm strength of Nalin- aksha's tone and expression the tranquillising influ- ence that she needed. Even after he had gone her heart was still conscious of his healing touch. Stand- ing in the verandah outside her room she gazed upon the sun-bathed landscape. In the splendour of the per- fect noon-day she beheld the whole created world at once toiling and at rest, powerful and yet serene, alike forceful and patient, and she consigned her troubled spirit to the embrace of this vast macrocosm. In that propitious moment the sunlight and the daz- zling blue of the heavens showered creation's eternal blessing on her soul.

Hemnalini's thoughts now turned to Nalinaksha's mother. The cause of the old lady's agitation and sleepless night was patent to her. The first shock of the announcement of the proposed marriage had passed away and Hemnalini no longer shrank instinc- tively from the idea. More than ever she felt de- pendent on Nalinaksha and devoted to him, only the restless pangs that betoken love were totally wanting. In his passionless altruism he was independent of woman's love, but to him, no less than to others, service was due. His mother was old and ill and he had no one to care for him. In a world like ours Nalinaksha's

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