“At the Metropolitan Institution,” was the reply.

“An excellent college,” said Kumodini Babu; then after a whispered consultation with Jadu Babu, he said, “I am delighted with Samarendra’s modesty and good manners, and have no objection whatever to giving my daughter to him in marriage—­provided Prajapati (the Lord of All) causes no hitch”.  Samarendra thought that his ordeal was over, but he was mistaken.  One of Kumodini Babu’s friends, who happened to be a Calcutta B.A., would not lose the opportunity of airing his superior learning.

“What are your English text-books?” he asked.

“Blackie’s Self-culture, Helps’ Essays, Milton’s Paradise Lost, and Tennyson’s Enoch Arden,” gabbled Samarendra in one breath.

“Very good, now please fetch your Paradise Lost.”

The boy disappeared, returning shortly with a well-thumbed volume, which the B.A. opened and selected Satan’s famous apostrophe to the Sun for explanation.  Samarendra was speechless.  After waiting for a minute, the B.A. asked what text-book he studied in physics and was told that it was Ganot’s Natural Philosophy.  He asked Samarendra to describe an electrophone, whereon the lad began to tremble violently.  Kumodini Babu had pity on his confusion and told him to run away.  Needless to say he was promptly obeyed.

It has become a Calcutta custom for possible fathers-in-law to cross-examine suitors on their text-books; but few boys are able to satisfy the test, however brilliant their acquirements may be.  Poor Samarendra was too overwhelmed with the strangeness of his position to do himself justice.

When the elder folks were quite alone they plunged into business.  Kumodini Babu sounded his host as to dena paona (settlements) on either side; but the latter courteously left them entirely to his discretion.  It was settled that Basumati’s pakka dekha (betrothal) should be celebrated on 12th November at Kumodini Babu’s, and that of Samarendra’s at his father’s, two days later.

Basumati being an only daughter, Kumodini Babu determined to conduct her marriage on a magnificent scale.  In anticipation of the betrothal feast, he brought three Brahman cooks from Calcutta to prepare curries, pillaos and sweetmeats under the supervision of the ladies of his household.

At length the auspicious day came round.  At 5 P.M.  Amarendra Babu, with half a dozen friends, arrived at Kumodini Babu’s house from Calcutta.  They were received with great courtesy and conducted to seats, where a plentiful supply of tobacco and betel awaited them.  At half-past seven, Jadu Babu presented the bride-elect to her future family.  She looked charming in a Parsi shawl and Victoria jacket, decked out with glittering jewels, and sat down near Amarendra Babu, after saluting him respectfully.  He took up some dhan, durba and chandan (paddy, bent grass and sandal-wood paste) and blessed her, presenting her at the same time with a gold chur (bracelet).