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72
Kapalkundala.

"As you please, your most Noble Eminence" added she. "What is the conclusion?"

Mrinmoyee heaved a heavy sigh and rejoined. "Let God's will be done. Come what may."

"What? What else in store? There are brighter and happier days for you. Why you drew that sigh?"

"Hear me," proceeded Mrinmoyee. "Just before we left the place on the day I started forth with my husband I went to place the trident leaf at Bhowani's feet as I used to undertake no work until I had done the same. The trident leaf used to stick up if the work in hand was sure to prosper and it shook and fell if the work was to end in a fiasco. I had my misgivings with regard to my adventure into a foreign land in company of a foreigner and so visited the Goddess to read the auguries. Mother Goddess let fall the trident leaf and so I am afraid what the future may bring forth."

Mrinmoyee ended. A shudder crept into Shyama and she gave a start.