The
man listened gravely, with only an interjection, now and again,
and once he turned and looked curiously at me. Then he spoke,
evidently making some announcement which she received with bowed
head - and when he turned to go with a grave salute, she
performed a very singular ceremony, moving slowly round him three
times with clasped hands; keeping him always on the right. He
repaid it with the usual salaam and greeting of peace, which he
bestowed also on me, and then departed in deep meditation, his
eyes fixed on the ground. I ventured to ask what it all meant,
and she looked thoughtfully at me before replying.
"It was a strange thing. I fear you will not altogether
understand, but I will tell you what I can. That man though
living here among Mahomedans, is a Brahman from Benares, and,
what is very rare in India, a Buddhist. And when he saw me he
believed he remembered me in a former birth. The ceremony you
saw me perform is one of honour in India. It was his due."
"Did you remember him?" I knew my voice was incredulous.
"Very well. He has changed little but is further on the upward
path.
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