the months of March and April the thermometer rose above ninety degrees; but the rest of the

orest nestled in the ravines and valleys, and big game wandered free and unmolested by the

pical climate; there was a continual passing from seed-time to harvest, from flower to fruit without the paralysing

ut in later days, when there was no longer any fear of Mahratta horsemen, they ventured further afield, and the town was extended upon the smiling plateau in nobler lines. Handsome roads lined with private houses or shops in

with the silk farms and looms by which Pantulu and his immediate ancestors had accumulated a considerable fortune. As is usual with families of good caste and wealth, the members were numerou

and he was satisfied. Ananda had fulfilled all their dearest expectations; and as has already been stated, the parents had sent him to England to complete an education that should eventually fit him for a post in the Maharajah's Government

received of Coomara's death, but not a word had been said of the effect

storm. Bopaul had a fastidious dislike to storms; and the longer the announcement of the change of religion could be deferred the better pleased he would

e other. The deed was done and could not be undone. If the step had only been under contemplation and not irrevocably taken, he might have urged delay, consultation with the he

dence. His history was not known nor were his companions aware, with the exception of Bopaul, that he had accepted Christianity. He followed the service reverently; and if any

at would be roused in every member of his family as soon as the news was told. Did he realise all that was involved? He had been well instructed in the doctrines of Hinduism by his guru; and he had duly performed the various ceremonies prescribed at different pe

n the figure that filled the mental vision of his friend. It was none othe

ree years later under the paternal roof. Two or three years of placid married life followed, during which Ananda was still absorbed in his studies, and Dorama was engaged

t understand. Those longings were the instinctive desires of the animal man to claim his mate for himself; and to carry her and her baby to some remote fastness, where he could hide her from the swarms of relatives who in their joy seemed to think that she belonged to them rather than to him. He wa

he excitement of travel; but the memory of Dorama in her new character did not fade. On the contrary, it grew clear

erstand the necessity for some such arrangement. They might not like it; they might not be pleased that those western habits were adopted; they would assuredly disapprove of the change of religion; but when they comprehended that the changes had been effected to increase the comfort and happiness, spiritually as well as bodily, of their son,

f passengers the two men pressed forward. The sons folded their hands in reverence, and then extended the right in the clasp that is general in these days all over the world. The greeting attracted no attention, so quiet was it in its na

say, my beloved and

Bopaul sprang

eave his Excellency Pantulu Iyer with my frien

man could rise, A

o say. Possibly I may have to ask you to confirm my statem

e had no scruples in satisfying, showed a disinclination to move. The eyes of both parents were fixed in sur

his thoughts, if they were occupied at all, were busy building up a gilded future, in which his son was the chief figure. It took some seconds to detach his mind from

s impending crossed his mind. Doubtless Ananda was going to suggest an extension of the

to learn that during my residence in England I

ve a knowledge now-a-days of western customs, many of which the Maharajah himself has adopted. The time may come w

. Bopaul showed more uneasiness, rising from his chair and

ke the ways I have ad

ck coat and trousers that became hi

garments. There is no reason why you s

ight pause that seemed to the listeners to be shadowed by some strange unknown danger, he continued:

re of astonishment, dismay, and incredulity. The jaw dropped; the eyes opened to their widest extent, and the brows were like two rainbows, so arched had they become. Bopaul had that insane desire to laugh which seizes men and

his ill-timed mirth. A sign in the negative set his father's mind at rest on that point, and ena

atement. He moistened his lips, and after a few ineffectual attempts accom

ion of-England, my son! I f

ecome a C

scornful smile. It required a magnificent courage and enormous endurance for a caste man to make such a change. If he knew Ananda aright his friend had no great store of either courage

flowing drapery giving him an oriental dignity that was patriarchal. He wore a dark-blue serge coat, a white shirt and linen collar, with tie to match the coat. Everything was of the best quality and fitted his aristoc

England, you must drop them now. They have served their purpose, and they must be thrown aside like the strange weeds that as a child you gathered in the jungle, and cast upon the dust heap on your return before entering the house. You have returned to the h

unning through it, as though the speaker waited in passionate hope for confirmation of his assertions. That confirmation did not come.

ather. All that will be needed can be done without difficulty. It will be advisable to give me a separate house and establishment for myself and my wife and son, since our presence w

ffect upon both the older men; for they were silent

for this. It is an un

, broke the spell and opened the floodgates of wrath. A

" Once more a desperate effort was made to reject, to disbelieve the terrible news. "My little son!" he used the pet name by which Ananda had been known as a child, and it came from his lips with infinite tenderness. "My little son! tell me you have but joked, and that you ha

e from a sight that sent a sharp knife through his heart; but, like all weak natures, he possessed a strain of obstinacy that came now to his assistance. Bopaul, who had more force of character, could not have listened to such an appeal from his father without wavering in his determination, no matter how great might have been his courage. With Ananda i

it hurts you, my father; but I have arrived at man's estate and must judge for my

im to whom I entrusted you!" crie

e. He turned to Bopaul, who was still standing with his back to them. "Reassure my father on thi

nishment when you announced the change as I felt myself

is confirmation of his son's

ned in th

k, does it bring him to life again to explain what caused his foot to slip? Thou art cursed! cursed! cursed! No l

sually addressed to in

in, most exce

t father, s

only let me

ble' who cleans the gutters and carries

nda stepped back a pace or two, but did

, beside himself with rage, advanced with uplifted hand and brought his fist down upon his son's face. The diamon

f between the two, and pushed his friend

lared after his son a

y's life have I laid a hand upon him

his hands. Joy, ambition, paternal pride, all had been