For the assistance of the reader, the names of the
principal characters in the tale are given--


NAGENDRA NATHA DATTA _A wealthy Zemindar_.

SURJA MUKHI _His wife_.

DEBENDRA DATTA _Cousin to Nagendra_.

SRISH CHANDRA MITTRA _Accountant in a Merchant's Office_

KAMAL MANI _His wife, sister to Nagendra_.

SATISH _Their baby boy_.

TARA CHARAN _Adopted brother of Surja Mukhi_.

KUNDA NANDINI _An Orphan Girl_.

HIRA _Servant in Nagendra's household_.




CHAPTER I.

NAGENDRA'S JOURNEY BY BOAT.