Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/111

 Chitra, let me observe, was watching these astonishing proceedings from behind a curtain. "Here I am, mistress," she said.

Radharani said, "Where is your conch?" (I should explain to Western readers that conch shells are blown by women on joyous and auspicious occasions.)

Chitra replied, "Mistress, here it is!"

"Well then," said Radharani joyfully, "blow your loudest!"

And then the gracious maiden with a smile loosed her own necklace, warm and fragrant from her bosom, and clasped it round her lover's neck. Chitra blew a loud blast on her conch, to warn all and sundry that a very important event had taken place!

Do you ask me whether the young pair were duly married? Of course they were married, and Vasanta came to the wedding, and all her many brothers came, and flocks of the raja's people came. But surely you have heard enough of Radharani's trials and happiness.