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 herself. "Why again did I drive away the Brahmin? How shall I return alone this night? Saileshwara, thy will be done!"

To ascend the temple, you had to pass underneath the banian tree. As Bimala was passing that way, she found that the bull was not there, nor was the white object which she had descried. She was rather surprised; for had the bull strayed, it must have been somewhere in the plain.

Bimala looked at the trunk of the tree, when it appeared to her as if she could see only part of the white dress of a man stationed on the other side. This increased her terror; with hurried steps she went towards the temple, ascended the steps by leaps, and vigorously rapped at the door.

It was shut.

"Who's there?"—was the question from within in a deep voice.

"Who's there?"—reverberated the empty vault.

Mustering courage with might and main, Bimala replied,

"A way-worn woman."

The door opened.

A lamp was burning within; in front of her stood a tall man, with the sheathed sword in his hand.

Bimala saw and recognised,