Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/52

 his trial was over. And in truth it seemed to me that I had become so necessary to him that he would lose his senses if I deserted him.

When the last day of the probation came round, I wept and said to him, "Dearest, I did wrong to come with you, I have given you undeserved pain and trouble. It seems to me that this probation has been a foolish mistake. Who can predict the course of a man's passions? You have loved me fondly all these eight days. But eight months hence—can you yourself say whether you will still love me? And if you desert me, think of what my state will be!"

He rose to his feet with a laugh. "If that is your only anxiety," he said, "I can easily put your mind at rest. I had thought of doing it before, but now my mind is made up. I shall make due provision for you."

I had been waiting for a chance of leading him to say something of the sort. I was the more pleased when he said it of his own accord.

"Fie," I cried, "if you leave me, what need shall I have of money? If it is merely a