THE WRECK
65
Aloud he said, "All right, don't be afraid; I'll make him disclose his reasons this very day."
"But I haven't been afraid," said Hemnalini, aim- lessly turning over the pages of the book in her lap, "and I don't want you to pester him for his reasons,"
"Pride again!" thought Jogendra. "All right," he said, "you need have no anxiety on that score," and he made as if to depart.
Hemnalini rose from her chair. "Now mind, you're not to say anything to him about this. You others may think what you like, but I don't suspect him at all."
It struck Jogendra that this hardly sounded like pride. His affection and compassion for his sister gained the upper hand and he smiled inwardly as he reflected: "These learned ladies have no knowledge of the world; she knows a lot that she has learned from books ; but when an occasion for suspicion arises she is as innocent as a babe!" Then Jogendra con- trasted her simple trust with the other's duplicity. His heart hardened against Ramesh, and his determination to force him to state his "reasons" became stronger than ever. Once more he rose as if to go out, but Hemnalini was too quick and caught him by the arm.
"Promise not to breathe a word of this to Ramesh," said said.
"I'll see," replied Jogendra.
"There's no 'seeing' about it. Promise me before you go. I assure you that there's nothing for you to worry about. Just do this one little thing for me."
Hemnalini's insistence convinced Jogendra that Ra- mesh had given her a full explanation. Still it did not follow that the explanation was a true one; it would have been no very difficult task to deceive her with some cock-and-bull story, so he said: "Look here, Hem, it's not a question of distrusting any one; but when a girl is going to be married her guardians have
