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 "Ah! well said," replied Bimala joyfully. "I'll take that gallant with me."

"Gracious me! but I was jesting," said Ashmani in surprise.

"No joke," replied Bimala. "I don't mistrust the numskull. Night and day are all one to the blind man. The Brahmin will understand nothing, and I have no misgivings about him. But then, he won't consent to go."

"Leave that to me," said Ashmani laughing. "I'll bring him. Please wait a little at the gate."

Thereupon, she directed her steps towards a cottage within the castle.

Gajapati Vidyadiggaja, the disciple of Abhiram Swami, has already been introduced to the gentle reader. He has also been enlightened as to why Bimala called him by the cognomen of Rasik Das Swami (illustrious bond-slave of gallantry). This personage was the occupant of the cottage. He was about nine feet in altitude—in breadth, scarcely so much as one foot. His legs, from the loins to the toe, measured about six feet. In breadth they resembled two slender sticks. His color 'held divided empire' with ink; perhaps Agni had sat down to devour his legs, taking them for very sticks, but had found them so utterly devoid of sap, that he had left them in the shape of brands. Owing to his great height, the worthy tended to be double. Among all his members, the nose held the most prominent place—the general lack of flesh was more than made up there. His goodly crown was shaven like that of an Uriya palankeen bearer. The new-grown hairs were very short, and pierced like so many needles.