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THE WRECK

75

You have given me sufficient proof. I tell you most distinctly that if you set foot in our house again you will have to submit to insult."

Ramesh turned pale, but said nothing. Jogendra went on : I've something more to say. You're not to write to Hemnalini or hold the slightest communi- cation with her — openly or in secret. If you write to her I'll publish abroad the secret that you wish to keep with the proofs that I have. If any one asks us now why your engagement to Hemnalini has been broken off I'll say it was because I refused my consent to the marriage ; I shan't give the true reason. But if you're not careful the whole story will come out. You may wonder why I show such restraint in the face of your heartless behaviour. Do not think I have the least sympathy for you; it is only because this matter affects my sister Hemnalini that I have let you off so lightly. My last word to you is never to give the least indication, by speech or behaviour, that you ever had any acquaintance with Hemnalini. It's no good exacting any promise from you ; I can't expect sin- cerity from you after such deceit. But if you have any shame, any fear of exposure left, then you womt disregard this warning, deliberately or otherwise."

Akshay. "Really, Jogen, really! Aren't you sorry for Ramesh Babu at all? Look how quietly he takes it! We'd better go now. Never mind, Ramesh Babu, we're off now."

Jogendra and Akshay went out, leaving Ramesh too stunned to move. When his numbed senses began to recover from the shock his first impulse was to go for a brisk walk and review the situation in the open air, but he remembered that he could not leave Kamala alone in a strange place.

He went into the next room and found the girl sit- ting by the window overlooking the street, holding one of the slats of the Venetians open. At Ramesh's foot-

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