Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/149

 twenty-three years old. But there was also the fear that if you remain seemingly unmarried all these years you might commit some imprudent act, or secretly marry someone else. That was why, in order to frighten you, the torn scrap of paper was left in your jewel casket. You know already how arrangements were made that you should not have sight of your husband during the five years of probation. It was precisely for that reason that you were prevented from seeing one another during the ceremony.

"But, a few months ago, all these wise and careful provisions were much disturbed by the unexpected course of events. When Ananda Swami came here secretly a few months ago he was much grieved to learn that you had been reduced to poverty. He got a glimpse of you, though you were not aware of the fact. He came to me however, and informed me of all the romantic incidents of your marriage. He told me that if he could have guessed what hardships were destined to befall you, he would have made arrangements for a suitable