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 hundred years, and it would be a higher glory to us if Hemlata be the mistress of the united estates. We have no son of our own, and whoever marries our daughter will be thy successor at Debipur. And Noren shall wed her."

Nobo Kumar quailed before his wife's decision, and remained silent. His wife then added in a softer voice:

"I have not misread Noren, dear husband. The ardent young man will willingly come and live at Debipur if we make that the condition of the marriage. Great will then be the glory of the Debipur House, and Birnagar, so long its rival, will be henceforth a possession of Debipur. I am jealous of the honour of Debipur, my lord, as well as thyself, and I devise and speak as a Debipur lady should."

Nobo Kumar remained silent, and felt that his wife had reason on her side. The long feud of Birnagar and Debipur might be happily ended, once and for ever; and Debipur might stand higher in glory, power and possessions, if the vast estate of Birnagar were added to it.

"We will think about it," at last said Nobo Kumar.

His wife knew that her pleading had told.

Husband and wife had scarcely finished their talk when Noren and Hemlata entered the room, the former carrying a basket of jasmine flowers. He bowed to Nobo Kumar, and with cold respect placed some flowers in his hands. Then he went up to Hemlata's mother, placed the basket before her, and touched her feet with his forehead with sincere affection.