Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/256

240 have cost mother-in-law ten years of her life. She lived in an acute agony of hope and fear. Would the day go off well? One local magnate would send word that he could not join, because his wife was ill; and away would go poor mother-in-law to the stubborn dame, coax, cajole, and bribe her into gracing the occasion. In some instances, she says, she positively bought brilliant silk dresses for ladies who did not care to disgrace their families by appearing in the garments their husbands could afford! By 4 o'clock visitors commenced pouring in. We were now asked to go and purify ourselves—me and the bride. This is done by repeating sundry prayers said by the priest, drinking a glass of niranga, and taking an oath. A rupee to the priest had changed the niranga into most palatable eau de vie. On dressing we were seated side by side, and the high priests approached with a high-and-mighty gait. One of these "holy men " managed to tread upon some rotten plantain bark. I dare not describe the result, but that evening another priest had to officiate for Dastur Banámeijad. We were soon married, and then mother-in-law came to wash my feet, according to custom. The five minutes occupied by this ceremony were to