A young and somewhat high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of arich man who lived near Hooghly, a teeny city within a short distanceof Calcutta.

Some months passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. Theparents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into theirhearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to look at the very agedname being carried down the months, and whisperings grew into talkof a second marriage for their son. The girl's parents were anxiousand distressed.