Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/18

 was compelled to repair to his rural retreat where Bhagavati Devy soon nursed him back to health. He next attended the lectures on Smriti i.e., Hindu Jurisprudence. This subject, which occupied students of average intellect from two to three years, he fully mastered before six months were out and finally passed. Soon after the post of jurisconsult of Tippera fell vacant. Here surely was a good chance for Isvar Chandra, who applied and was offered the situation. His father, having still in his head the tole project, viewed with strong disfavour his going to a far-off place. A scion of true filial devotion, he suffered that opportunity to slip without a demur. Thereafter he pored over Vedanta philosophy. His professor Sambhu Chandra Vachaspati took a great liking to him and treated him with kindness and familiarity on all occasions. The grey-headed gentleman, a widower, was looking out for a bright damsel. One day he opened his heart to the young disciple. The latter, taking in