Coming up to this point, Osman became plunged in thought. He then said to Bimala,
"Had you no other name before?"
"Yes, I had," replied Bimala. "That is a Musalman name, and father has therefore changed it."
"What's that name? Maharu?"
"How could you know it, Sir?" asked Bimala in surprise.
"I am that very boy," replied Osman.
Bimala was surprised; Osman again began to read.
"Next morning, when the Pathan was about to depart, he said to mother, 'Now I have no means to repay the obligation your daughter has laid me under; but let me know your wish. I am going to Delhi, wherefrom I will send you whatever you require. If you want money, I will send it.'
Mother said, 'I don't want money; I pass my days easily enough by bodily labor. But if you have any influence with the Emperor—'
'Yes, I have,' interposed the Pathan. 'I shall be able to serve you at court.'
Mother said, 'Then, will you kindly try to get news of this girl's father and send it me?'
The Pathan promised to do so. He offered gold to mother, which she declined. According to his promise, the Pathan employed some of the imperial officers to get news of my father; but to no purpose. Fourteen years after this, the men got tidings of my father, and information of it was communicated to mother. He was at Delhi; he had changed his name of Sasi Sekhara Bhattacharjya for Abhiramswami. When this intelligence reached us, mother departed this life. If heaven
