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Ramesh kept his eyes fixed on the ground. "Have you told Hemnalini about it?" Annada Babu went on.

Ramesh, "No, she knows nothing about it yet."

Annada, "She must know at once. It's her mar- riage as well as yours."

Ramesh, "I thought I had better tell you first."

"Hem! Hem!" called Annada Babu. Hemnalini came in. "Yes, dad?"

Annada. "Ramesh says he has some pressing busi- ness; he hasn't time to be married at present."

Hemnalini turned pale and her eyes sought Ra- mesh's face. A criminal caught red-handed could not have looked guiltier.

He had not anticipated that the news would be communicated to Hemnalini in this blunt fashion and his own feelings told him what a rude shock the un- ceremonious announcement must be to her; but an arrow once discharged never returns and Ramesh knew that his arrow had pierced Hemnalini to the heart.

There was no way now of softening down the brutal truth for the facts were unalterable — the mar- riage must be postponed, Ramesh had some urgent business, and he would not divulge what that business was. What gloss could he add?

"Well, it's your own lookout," said Annada Babu, turning to Hemnalini. "You two must decide what is to be done."

"I know nothing about it, dad." Hemnalini raised her eyes with a glance that was like a wan shaft from the dying sun falling on a storm-cloud and left the room.

Annada Babu took up his paper and pretended to read but actually he was thinking hard. Ramesh sat still for a minute or two then rose suddenly and went out.

Entering the large sitting-room he found Hemnalini standing at the window silently gazing at the street