as dead. He had died in sin before the cleansing rites could be performed whi

ordained it; first, that they should miss the earlier train which reached its journey's end in safety; secondly, that Coomara should make a move to the opposite side of the carriage and seat himself on th

kable degradation would be his lot; where beauty, joy and comfort would find no part. At that very moment the troubled spirit might be entering upon its new life with groans and sighs in squalid environment. He recalled Coomara's careful observance of everything that related to his religion; his dislike of all that was not strictly orthodox; his unwillingness even to listen to heretical teaching. No man c

Everything in the shape of study ended. The books were opened and the Professor began to lecture; but he soon discovered that he failed to interest Bopaul, and that Ananda's thoughts had wandered far from the subject in hand. Under the impression that the mind might be

God is all-powerful. Why cannot you give Him credit for beneficence? You call Him

It is a common law of life all over the world. You hang your murderer, regardless of his repentance. Can you cleanse the hand of the murderer from the

st made on the Cross that his sins will assuredly be forgiven. To the crucified thief He said, 'This day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.' He gave the promise almost with his last breath

stian already, probably, and a fol

e forgiveness-which meant immunity from punishment-to a wilful criminal who was neither baptized nor a follower, is it not believable that He could forgive and secure immunity from punishm

than Brahma?" asked

e Professor, in ringing tones that almost carried conviction. Even Bopaul, t

was sinful to listen to the clai

and looked at Ananda w

sound every doctrine that is presented. He demands a wide field that he may view from all sides, weigh and measure the new with the old. Above all

here to represent and defend his

gland that you might hear more; that you might be made acquainted with every ques

under you, sir; we can sift and compare without apostacy, I hope. Come for a walk, Ananda.

"Go; the walk will do you good." Nor did he reach out his hand for pen or book, a sign that he was ready

stay in-doors. The noise a

outside world. It will have to be faced sooner or later; the

the silent Professor, and gather

l; I am not going

fting responsibility on to the Englishman. Silence was maint

endless cycle of rebirths need no

rines of comfort that console the dying Christian. It was not done with the intention of converting, but in the merciful desire of bringing some small consolation to the despa

y talked, and the gloom o

is not my creed," he said. There was a paus

ets of your religion? The spirit of reform is abroad, and a Hindu may become a member of the Brahmo-Somaj or the Ayra-Somaj without losing caste, withou

tstep outside. The door op

long. You should have driven that foolish Ananda out into t

ime has been wasted," rep

atter was ill at ease under his scrutiny. The lunch bell rang, and Ananda hurried to

nding you of it. I know his people, and what a terrible thing i

d please me better if it had been the other way about. Ananda must have led a very sheltered life in his youth, and this I fancy i

*

ng when he said that Ananda's

obedient and gentle, always ready to be guided. Content to be ruled, his will power lay dormant, and there seemed little likelihood of it being roused into activity; for the desires of those whose aut

and the girl took up her residence with his parents. It was a happy home, free from strife, and the daughter-in-law found no difficul

he presented him with a son. If anything could have been

rselves to consider your future. One day we hope to see you take a prominent part in the government of the country. Possibl

he fine grass matting with the baby on her lap. He would have been more than conten

ghness himself takes occasional voyages across the

ted Ananda, with the unconscious su

xample is to

out loss

turn. The penances and penalties

none the less serious for th

at those who have travelled in Europe, and lived for a time in England, are preferred in the council to those who have had no experience. Having thought the matter well ov

the large college at Chirapore, as to the best place of residence in London; with the r

ed to make the most of his opportunities. He intended to amuse himself as well as read with the Profess

a visit. The Vedas were quoted and the laws of Manu repea

empts will be made; you must resist them. Here in this State of Chirakul we still enjoy the great boon of an hereditary ruler. Under his government we have successfully repelled the innov

his forehead to the ground with words of worship and adoration such as might have been addressed to the Deity. In his eyes the guru was God Himself, nei

What you hear and see will be of use in the work you will have to d

swami? May th

levation of our nation; the casting out of a race of demons who would have us b

that claimed sovereignty over the Maharajah of Chir

uld take this voyage across the blac

ope to rise to a position wherein you ma

in that foreig

suffering and degradation,"

et me stay in my

he added, in softer accents, "be not afraid. You will return in safety

bered them afterwards. "You will be born ag

hey not been spoken by the guru,

*

ugh in a lesser degree. He developed an aversion to public gatherings and to the assemblage of a crowd in street or train or on the fiel

ek comparative solitude for a while until the

he depths of the country. They could choose their

n it suited them they remained at a quiet little seaside place for a week or two; or in a still more sle

t to his club for the same object. He had not seen the Professor since he led Ananda and Bopaul back to his

rs. Twyford, saying that he would co

its dress of grey and gold. The streets, thronged on week-day with traffic, were empty except during the half-hour before service. Church-bells rang out

y it away into exile. Temple-bells might clang around him, and the ding-ding-ding of the Christian Church bell call him on

re aisle. The space under the dome was filling fast. H

invitation to the increasing crowd. Before it stopped

listened passively, revelling in the perfect harmony and abandoning himself to the soothing, almost sensuous feeling of peace and contentment brought by the music and environment. He knelt and stood, following mechan

ined to remain to the end of the service. A large number of people left the cathedral, and he moved up

or had he come to have his ears tickled or his senses steeped in superb harmonies. The music that echoed through arch and aisle was unheeded in the effort to raise the spirit to God. The man was there to pray, and his prayerful attitude was unchanged u

t upon the crowd that jostled him, and he did not observe Wenaston's presence. In their dark depths shone the light of a great happi

! An

d at once and h

ht that you were still

come to town to prepare for my journey back to India. Mrs. Twy

nothing

at him with s

aul's?" he asked, adding as an afte

a momentous step. I ha

s doing?" asked Wenasto

dily. "The Professor had

me abo

where a few well-dressed folk were strolling

hould overtake me. It became more than I could bear. The Professor was very kind. He tried to console me with some of his own doctrines, and suggested that I should draw comfort from them without necessarily adopti

t come abo

elf. To my astonishment I saw that they were bearing their grief with a resignation that put me to shame. It was their belief-their unshaken faith in the future that gave them strength. They were so sure, so certain that their beloved one was safe with God and happier than he could ever be on earth. I marvelled at

nsulting yo

ompromise him, and I begged my friends to keep my secret

if to hear what he had to s

to have tol

lifted in a little g

pposition from Bopaul if he knew. I was afraid lest the Professor should

rked with a gravity in which

taken a momentous step. God give y