she had none now. Her wet garments were greatly soiled,
and torn in a hundred places; her wet, unbound hair was much tangled;
her closed eyes deeply sunk. She breathed, but was not conscious; she
seemed near death.

Haro Mani asked: "Who is this? where did you find her?"

The _Brahmachari_ explained, and added, "I see she is near death, yet
if we could but renew the warmth of her body she might live; do as I
tell you and let us see."

Then Haro Mani, following the _Brahmachari's_ directions, changed the
woman's wet clothes for dry garments, and dried her wet hair. Then
lighting a fire, they endeavoured to warm her.

The _Brahmachari_ said: "Probably she has been long without food; if
there is milk in the house, give her a little at a time."

Haro Mani possessed a cow, and had milk at hand; warming some, she
administered it slowly. After a while the woman opened her eyes; when
Haro Mani said, "Where have you come from, mother?"

Reviving, the woman asked, "Where am I?"

The _Brahmachari_ answered, "Finding you dying by the roadside, I
brought you hither. Where are you going?"

"Very far."

Haro Mani said: "You still wear your bracelet; is your husband
living?"

The sick woman's brow darkened. Haro Mani was perplexed.

The _Brahmachari_ asked "What shall we call you? what is your name?"

The desolate creature, moving a little restlessly, replied, "My name
is Surja Mukhi."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

IS THERE HOPE?

There was apparently no hope of Surja Mukhi's life. The _Brahmachari_,
not understanding her symptoms, next morning called in the village
doctor. Ram Krishna Rai was very learned, particularly in medicine. He
was renowned in the village for his skill. On seeing the symptoms, he
said--

"This is consumption, and on this fever has set in. It is, I fear, a
mortal sickness; still she may live."

These words were not said in the presence of Surja Mukhi.

The doctor administered physic, and seeing the destitute condition of
the woman he said nothing about fees. He was not an avaricious man.

Dismissing the physician, the _Brahmachari_ sent Haro Mani about other
work, and entered into conversation with Surja Mukhi, who said--

"Thakur, why have you taken so much trouble about me? There is no need
to do so on my account."

"What trouble have I taken?" replied the _Brahmachari_; "this is my
work. To assist others is my vocation; if I had not been occupied with
you, some one else in similar cir