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  a month or two on the journey. The inmates and other people believed him to be Virendra Singha's spiritual guide—and very truly, to all appearance, considering the homage Virendra paid him. Nay, he did not transact any of his domestic affairs, without previously consulting Abhiram Swami,—and the advice given by his spiritual guide was almost always successful. The fact was that Abhiram Swami was a man of experience and possessed an acute intellect. Moreover, by virtue of his austerities, he had learnt to control his passions in almost all worldly transactions: when required, he could master his passion and go through the business calmly. Under such circumstances, what wonder that his advice would be more effectual than the schemes of the impatient and haughty Virendra Singha?

Besides Bimala and Abhiram Swami, a maid-servant, named Ashmani, had come with Virendra Singha.

Tilottama and Bimala reached home in safety. Some three or four days after this, Virendra Singha was seated in his steward's Office on a masnad, when Abhiram Swami entered. Virendra Singha rose from his masnad, and Abhiram Swami sat down upon a seat of the kusa grass handed by Virendra, who then resumed his seat with the Swami's permission.