"Oh, poor fellow! Is she fond of him?"
"Yes; I think so; as far as a modest Hindu maid may permit herself to be."
"Then they ought to be married; and I think it is very horrid of you to forbid the wedding."
"The girl must become a Christian first; then the wedding bells shall be rung and the feast prepared; but not till then."
"But supposing she won't become a Christian, what then?"
"The marriage can't take place."
"Poor lovers! What a shame! You are hard on them! Why shouldn't the girl marry first and be converted afterwards?"
"That would never do. I always begin with conversion;" he looked at her and paused with half a smile; then he added: "Marriage must follow conversion."
"Oh, must it!" she replied with a challenge in her voice. "You take a good deal for granted."
"A common fault with men of my profession, I fear," he replied with a decision that had its attraction.