Page:The Autobiography of an Indian Princess.djvu/62

48 Later one of the missionaries remarked with meaning in his voice: "You will be surprised in a day or two, Sunity. Some very important people are coming to see the school."

"So much the better," I assured him, "for now you have told me I can study hard and tell the others to do the same."

The day before the officials arrived from Cooch Behar, I fell ill with fever. After a restless night, I awoke to find my father and mother standing by my bedside.

They looked at each other. "Have you told Sunity?" asked my father.

"No," replied mother, " it is better you should."

"Listen. Sunity," said my father. "Has Prosonna Babu mentioned some visitors who are expected to-day?"

"Yes, he said that some Englishmen are coming to see the school; and, father," I faltered, "I can't get up."

"Sunity," answered my father in that loving voice which always made us children thrill with affection, "it is not the school. These gentlemen are coming to see you." "To see me!" I cried. "Why?" "Sunity," said my father in a gentle voice, "these people are coming to see you, and if we all agree, perhaps some day you will marry a handsome young Maharajah."

I hid my face in my pillow. I could not speak. Marriage was to me an undiscussed subject. I