BOOK III
I. SHE PLACED HER HAND IN HIS
They came to Debipur at last—Nobo Kumar and his wife—and there were rejoicings in the land. Villagers came by thousands to greet their old master, now restored to his estate. Young girls came into the inner house of the Palace to bless the lovely Hemlata, and all their talk was about her approaching wedding. Old men sat by the side of Gokul Das and discoursed on the strange vicissitudes of fortune they had witnessed in their day. Women gathered together by the well side and spoke of the virtues of Nobo Kumar's saintly wife which had pleaded to the gods, and the gods had restored to her husband the rank and the position to which he was born.
But it was Gokul Das's silent endeavours rather than the favour of the gods to which Nobo Kumar himself attributed his happy restoration. "Thou hast been true to me, Gokul Das, thou hast toiled for years and achieved success. Faithful friend in my adversity, thou hast lived to bring joy and prosperity once more to my ancient House."
"Small credit is due to me, Master, the stars have been auspicious and the fates are propitious. May they help my humble toil, and another estate may be added to Debipur before I die."
"The spider will weave his web and Gokul Das his schemes," said Nobo Kumar, laughing. "But have
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