HURD WAR. 
225 
which from morning until night polluted the sacred 
shadow of the banian tree, she was compelled to 
make patience her only comfort. The Brahmins, 
under whose charge she had been placed by Purwatti, 
were compelled to take active measures for her pro- 
tection, which could only he effected by surrounding 
the banias cottage with a powerful body of armed 
men. These required, of course, a large sum of 
money for their support; the Brahmins, too, required 
a handsome remuneration for their constant attend- 
ance and arduous duties, and these things, together 
with the absolute loss of all trade, and the countless 
and never-ending pilgrims and devotees who crowded 
upon Vanadosini for the meal, made daily most 
ruinous depredation upon the remaining property of 
the absent Purwatti, and it was obvious that ere long 
not a rupee would be left. This was matter of sincere 
grief and distress to Bikhari, the banker, who, at the 
same time could devise no scheme for the avoidance 
of the impending ruin ; besides, he, a devout and 
conscientious person, could not interfere with the ful- 
filment of his friend’s vow, and religiously trusted to 
the favour of the gods for the support and protection 
of Vanadosini. 
More than twelve months had now elapsed since 
the travellers had taken their departure, and yet they 
came not. Fear and dire anxiety took possession of 
poor Vanadosini, when she thought what might he 
the fate of those so dear to her ; added to this, con - 
