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 thereupon fell to heaping ice on it. Ever since it has held ice on its head. Etcetera, etcetera.

Through the malice of Fortune, Ashmani was a widow.

On coming to Diggaja's cottage, she found the door shut; a lamp was burning within.

"What ho! holy man," called she.

No one answered.

"What ho! Gosain, ho!"

Still no answer.

"Hang him! What is the hypocritical fellow about? Lord Rasik Das, ho!'

No reply still.

Ashmani peeped through a chink in the door, and saw that the Brahmin was engaged in taking his meal; and it was for this reason that he did not speak; for Brahmins do not eat if they happen to speak while eating their meal.

"He pretend to sanctity!" said Ashmani to herself. "I shall see whether he eats after speaking."

"I say, slave of a gallant!"

No reply.

"Ho! prince of gallants!"

Answer. "Hum!"