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STORIES OF BENGALEE LIFE

all. The phæton conveying the distinguished visitor drew near. The Commissioner of the Division and the Collector were also in the same carriage. As the equipage approached the gate, Subodh bent himself nearly double and salaamed His Honour. Mr. Fuller with a smiling face returned the salute. For a moment he cast his glance at the flags and festoons and the plank surmounting the archway over the gate, bearing the inscription—

Long live Fuller.
Welcome to Dinajshahi.

A faint smile played on His Honour's lips. The next moment the phæton was out of sight.

The durbar was to be held at ten o'clock. A big pandal had been set up on the maidan. After nine, Subodh hired a hackney carriage and drove to the place. He dismissed the gharry on arriving there, intending to walk back.

The durbar was very thinly attended. There were only two or three members of the zemindar class. All the gazetted officers of the Government—Deputy Magistrates, Munsiffs, had mustered in full force. Other servants of the Government,—ministerial officers and amlas were also in evidence. These latter had been especially ordered to be there so that the place might not look too