love for her imperilled little brother. She thought that, if she only knew how, she would appear before the Lat Saheb,[1] nay, write to the Maharani herself, to save her brother's property. The Maharani would surely not allow Nilmani's taluk[2] of Hasilpur, with an income of seven hundred and fifty-eight rupees a year, to be sold.
When Sasi was thus thinking of bringing her husband's cousin to book by appealing to the Maharani herself, Nilmani was suddenly seized with fever and convulsions.
Joygopal called in the village doctor. When Sasi asked for a better doctor, Joygopal said: "Why, Matilal isn't a bad sort."
Sasi fell at his feet, and charged him with an oath on her own head; whereupon Joygopal said: "Well, I shall send for the doctor from town."
Sasi lay with Nilmani in her lap, nor would Nilmani let her out of his sight for a minute; he clung to her lest by some pretence she should escape; even while he slept he would not loosen his hold of her dress.
Thus the whole day passed, and Joygopal came after nightfall to say that the doctor was not at
