house now? If I am asked to state all particulars, what shall I say? Should I give out everything to risk an arrest as a murderer? No, that can't be; for the present it is better to go to our own place." So thinking, Ramcharan conducted the palanquin to their own house.
Now, Pratap, finding that the palanquin was out of sight, alighted from the boat. Every one in Foster's Budgrow had already become quiet and silent seeing the gun in Pratap's hand, and now no body dared speak out seeing the Lathials at his beck and call. Alighting from the Budgrow, Pratap proceeded towards his own house. Arriving at the gate, he knocked at it—Ramcharan opened the door from within. The very moment he stepped in, Pratap heard from Ramcharan that he had acted contrary to his directions. This annoyed Pratap a little. He said to Ramcharan, "There is yet time, take her along with you to Jagat Sett's place—go, get her down.
Ramcharan went up and found—people will be surprised to hear—that Shaibalini was sleeping. Sleep is not possible at such a time. Whether it is possible or not, is more than what we can say—we are simply recording what actually happened. Ram-
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