Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/141

 "Look at this. Is this the ring?"

Hiranmayi carefully examined it by the light of a lamp, and said,

"Deva, this is in truth my husband's ring. But where did your highness procure it?"

After reflecting a moment, she added,

"Deva, by the sight of this I know that I am a widow. This must have come into your highness's hands by the death of my husband, since such windfalls are your highness's prerogrativeprerogative [sic] as the ruler of this place. Otherwise my husband would certainly never have dared to part with it."

The raja laughed and said, "Take my word for it, madam, you are no widow."

"Then, in that case my husband is even poorer than myself. He must have sold it under pressure of dire want."

"On the contrary, your husband is a wealthy man."

"Then you must have taken the ring from my husband by force or fraud."

The raja was a little astonished at this