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 remained silent in dumb surprise, with vacant looks. Chandra Shekhar became anxious—he fully understood that all these were the first symptoms of a lurking malady. He said,

"Shaibalini! Come along with me."

At first, Shaibalini did not hear him. Chandra Shekhar then touched her body to draw her attention, and repeatedly asked her to follow him; Shaibalini suddenly stood up, and with a fear-stricken voice said,

"Don't delay—hasten off—let us quit this place at once" Forthwith as she concluded, she ran towards the entrance to the cave—Chandra Shekhar followed her with quick steps; in her attempt to get away quickly, in the dim light within the cave, her feet struck against a stone, and she fell down on the ground. After that, she said no word and uttered no sound. Chandra Shekhar found that Shaibalini had fainted again. He took her up on his arms, and carried her to that lovely cool spot outside the cave, where a little fountain was pouring out its water, with a murmuring melody. Chandra Shekhar began to sprinkle the cool and refreshing water of that mountain-spring over her face. This pallia-