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 and being myself tossed about by them, like a straw. After this, who would care to swim in the rivers of this world?" Shaibalini thought that the river she was swimming in had a bottom, but the sea of her trouble was unfathomable!

Whether you care for the, beauties of nature or not, they will not let you go unmoved and unimpressed by their charms—beauties never pass unnoticed. It does not matter in what sea you may happen to swim, the beauty of the blue water does not lose its charms—the string of wavelets is not torn—the stars overhead shine with usual brilliancy—the trees on the bank wave and swing as before, and the shooting beams of the moon play on the water as usual. Such is the beautiful tyranny of Nature! Like an affectionate mother she is always anxious to fondle and caress.

All these Pratap could see, but Shaibalini's eyes were blind to them. The pale and emaciated white face which she had seen on the top of the Budgerow, exclusively occupied her mind, and she was swimming but mechanically. But there was no rest—both of them were experts in swimming. Pratap was taking great delight in swimming along the placid waters of the flowing Bhagirathi—