Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/556

Rh any inconvenience. I am not so much devoid of respect and worth that I should not care to liquidate the debt. So long as Raja Pratap Chandra Sinha was living, I borrowed from him now and then, and paid him off by instalments. For the present, I happen not to have so much familiarity with any of the rich men here, that I may ask him for a loan. If you had not been where you are, I would not have ventured to request the Maharani for the loan. You must, please, be kind enough to do your best for the success of my prayer. Otherwise I shall be put to great shame and humiliation. Please, consider this and do as you think proper. Unless I had been put to great inconvenience, I would not have vexed you and the Maharani. I want the money in the course of one month. If I am favoured with this debt, there will exist no necessity of awarding the regular annual grant-in-aid. I have received many benefits from the Maharani, which are always fresh in my memory. I shall show shortly that I appreciate her merits and that I bless her always.

’I am somewhat better now. I shall be glad to hear your own welfare and that of the Rajdhani.'

The Maharani gave the loan as prayed for, and the debtor repaid it at the end of his promised three years. When he sent the money, Rajib Lochan had already been dead, and Vidyasagar remitted the money to the creditor herself with a covering letter to the following effect:—