Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/109

 magnificent necklace, as brilliant as the glittering row of the zodiacal stars in the midnight sky.

But the raja replied, "My honoured lady, the wife of my childhood died ten years ago. I have never married again."

Radharani was filled with joy and confusion. She strove to control herself. But it was with broken and eagerly uttered words that she said, "Still, sir, I must beg you to accept the gift your servant has prepared for you. Have I your highness's gracious permission to put this poor necklace on your honoured neck?"

With these words, the girl, smiling and blushing, put the splendid and glittering ornament round the raja's neck.

Devendranath laughed to see himself thus gorgeously adorned.

"Is this beautiful necklace really mine?" he asked.

"If you be pleased to accept it."

"I accept it", he replied gravely. "And since it is now mine, may I give it to whom I will?"