A DARK SCHEMER
sented the sword of Birnagar will never forget his House. Your lady's loving devices will only hand over your father's estate to Birnagar, whence she herself traces her descent. Debipur will be extinguished for ever!"
A long pause ensued, and Nobo Kumar was sunk in his own thoughts. He raised his eyes at last, and spoke like a man gasping for breath.
"Thou art right, terribly right, Gokul Das. Thy insight is clear if thy scheme be that of the Devil himself. Blood has flowed between the two Houses before now, and that red stream can never be crossed. I had always misgivings about my wife's scheme, for she, proud woman as she is, is but a Birnagar woman by descent."
Gokul Das saw that he had brought round his master to his scheme, even as a lion-tamer makes the lion learn the tricks he wishes to teach. Without the slightest trace of triumph in his face he spoke with deeper humility and respect.
"Little credit is due to me for insight in these matters, for I have learnt wisdom from my Master and only echo his sentiments. Debipur should descend to a son of Debipur—never to the heir of Birnagar. It is customary with great Houses, when no son and heir is born, to adopt a son; he performs religious offices like a son according to our ancient scriptures, and he inherits the estate like an heir under our ancient law. Choose a suitable boy for your son, my Master, and let Debipur descend to him when you are no more. But if my revered mistress is strongly opposed to part with her only daughter, if she desires dear Hemlata to be the heiress of
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