"The preservation of our great religion, the emancipation of our country, the elevation of our nation; the casting out of a race of demons who would have us believe that they are spirits of light. May they be accursed with their Christ!" He broke into imprecations against the supreme power that claimed sovereignty over the Maharajah of Chirakul and against the Founder of the Christian faith. "Swami, is it your decree that I should take this voyage across the black water--that I should break my caste?" "Only by going to England can you ever hope to rise to a position wherein you may help the cause that we have at heart." "And if I die in that foreign land, swami?" "You will be born again to suffering and degradation," said the inexorable voice. "Swami, swami! Let me stay in my father's house." "It cannot be. It is the will of the gods!" replied the guru. "My son," he added, in softer accents, "be not afraid. You will return in safety to help the cause we have at heart and be blessed by the holy Brahmans." Ananda and Bopaul heard the words and remembered them afterwards. "You will be born again to toil and suffering and degradation." And they believed them; for had they not been spoken by the guru, in whom dwelt the divine afflatus? * * * * * Dr. Wenaston shortened his stay in town after the accident, and cancelled his social engagements. The death of Coomara affected him, though in a lesser degree. He developed an aversion to public gatherings and to the assemblage of a crowd in street or train or on the field of sport. A vague feeling of apprehension destroyed his pleasure, and he recognised with dismay that he, too, was suffering from nerves. There was only one remedy, and that was to seek comparative solitude for a while until the nervous system should recover its equilibrium. His sister suggested a leisurely motor trip into the depths of the country. They could choose their road and regulate their pace to please themselves. They wandered through the south and west of England, fortunate in their weather and choice of route. When it suited them they remained at a quiet little seaside place for a week or two; or in a still more sleepy country town, with the happy result that Wenaston entirely recovered his health mentally and bodily. The summer passed and he sent his sister home to make her preparation for the voyage to India, while he went to his club for the same object. He had not seen the Professor since he led Ananda and Bopaul back to his house in dazed and prostrate condition on that memorable afternoon, and had told the story of the accident. On his arrival in town he wrote to Mrs. Twyford, saying that he would come to lunch on the following Sunday.