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“So he went. I lodged the girl in the house of Sripati Chatterji, passing him off as her father. What happened next is known to you. I feel a great relief to-day, having told you everything from the beginning. It sounds like a romance, doesn’t it? I think of turning it into a book, and getting it printed. But I am not a writing-man myself. They say my nephew has some aptitude that way–I will get him to write it for me. But the best thing would be, if you would collaborate with him, because the conclusion of the story is not known to me so well.”

Without paying much attention to the concluding remarks of Peari Sankar, Hemanta asked: “Did not Kusum object to this marriage?”

“Well,” said Peari Sankar, “it is very difficult to guess. You know, my boy, how women’s minds are constituted. When they say ‘no,’ they mean ‘yes.’ During the first few days after her removal to the new home, she went almost crazy at not seeing you. You, too, seemed to have discovered her new address somehow, as you used to lose your way after starting for college, and loiter about in front of Sripati’s house. Your eyes did not appear to be exactly in search of the Presidency College, as they were directed towards the barred windows of a private house, through which nothing but insects and the hearts of moon-struck young men could obtain access. I felt very sorry for you both. I could see that your studies were being seriously interrupted, and that the plight of the girl was pitiable also.

“One day I called Kusum to me, and said: ‘Listen to me, my daughter. I am an old man, and you need feel no delicacy in my presence. I know whom you desire at heart. The young man’s condition is hopeless too. I wish I could bring about your union.’ At this Kusum suddenly melted into tears, and ran away. On several evenings after that, I visited Sripati’s house, and, calling Kusum to me, discussed with her matters relating to you, and so I succeeded in gradually overcoming her shyness. At last, when I said that I would try to bring about a marriage, she asked me: ‘How can it be?’ ‘Never mind,’ I said, ‘I would pass you off as a Brahmin maiden.’ After a good deal of argument, she begged me to find out whether you would approve of it. ‘What nonsense,’ replied I, ‘the boy is well-nigh mad as it were, what’s the use of disclosing all these complications to him? Let the ceremony be over smoothly and then–all’s well that ends well. Especially, as there is not the slightest risk of its ever leaking out, why go out of the way to make a fellow miserable for life?’

“I do not know whether the plan had Kusum’s assent or not. At times she wept, and at other times she remained silent. If I said, `Let us drop it then,’ she would become very restless. When things were in this state, I sent Sripati to you with the proposal of marriage; you consented without a moment’s hesitation. Everything was settled.

“Shortly before the day fixed, Kusum became so obstinate that I had the greatest difficulty in bringing her round again. `Do let it drop, uncle,’ she said to me constantly. ‘What do you mean, you silly child,’ I rebuked her,’ how can we back out now, when everything has been settled?’

“‘Spread a rumour that I am dead,’ she implored. ‘Send me away somewhere.’

“‘What would happen to the young man then?’ said I.’ He is now in the seventh heaven of delight, expecting that his long cherished desire would be fulfilled to-morrow; and to-day you want me to send him the news of your death. The result would be that to-morrow I should have to bear the news of his death to you, and the same evening your death would be reported to me. Do you imagine, child, that I am capable of committing a girl-murder and a Brahmin-murder at my age?’