Page:The Autobiography of an Indian Princess.djvu/75

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
INVITING THE GUESTS
59

it is quite unnecessary and undesirable that a large company of ladies should accompany the party. I fail to see what good their presence can do.

"I think the ladies should be limited to Keshub Babu's immediate family and one or two intimate friends, and as regards the male guests, please remember that the amount of distinction shown to them here will depend entirely as to their social status in Calcutta, and that only such as are entitled to be admitted and given a seat at the Lieutenant-Governor's Durbars will be considered here.

"Babu Keshub Chunder Sen is too sensible a man not to understand my reasons for all this. Though, of course, I cannot expect him to look at the matter from my point of view.

"It is possible that he may look upon this marriage as the inauguration of a new era in the history of social and religious progress. But in Cooch Behar, at all events, he must wait for the fructification of his work until the Rajah attains his majority.

"Any of the well known and respected members of the Brahmo community who are Babu Keshub Chunder Sen's personal friends, and who would like to come, we will receive with great pleasure, and also any of similar rank and position whom he may wish to bring outside of the Brahmo community. I hold you responsible that a list of the intended party is submitted to me at an early date, to enable me to provide for a special train, etc.; and such