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 Guard. "Do so,—Prithee speak out."

Bimala. "No, I shan't. What will you think when you come to hear it?"

Guard. "No, no; speak out, I beseech you. Take me but your bond-slave."

Bimala. "I am very anxious to fly with you, and stain the name of this cursed husband."

Again the same side-look darting love. The guard cut capers for very joy.

Guard. "Eh? Will you do so?"

Diggaja, come and see there are other sensible people like you under the sun!

"I shall be really delighted to go," said Bimala, "if you kindly take me with you."

"Shall I not take you? I shall ever rest your slave."

"O how can I requite your boundless love! A trifle as it is, pray accept it."

Thereupon she took the gold chain from off her neck, and placed it on that of the sentry. The man was at once carried up to the seventh heaven! Bimala went on,

"Our shāstras declare that when one person places her garland on another person's neck,—this constitutes marriage."

The guard's teeth stared as he laughed.

"Ha! then we have been married sure," exclaimed he.

"To be sure," said Bimala, and seemed plunged in thought.

"What are you thinking about, eh?" enquired the guard.

Bimala. "No, I am not destined for happiness—meseems your people will never be able to take the castle."