Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/309

Rh directly sent her dási, her "dearer than mother," after the youth. A meeting was arranged, and their "united fate" discussed. Their troths were plighted on the spot. But it was hopeless to win the father over, in whose iron safe was locked up the lover's destiny, in the shape of promissory notes and such other documents of high interest. Elopement was the only way, and that the lover proposed. At first Huliká shrank from the proposal ;but,like a wise young woman she was, in less than five minutes she succumbed to the arts of the sweet enchanter. But Huliká was a virtuous Helen, look you; and she therefore took the dási (old nurse) with them. She left a note for dear papa, stating she was carried away against her wishes, but that she could not survive this vile treatment for a week; however, she had the old maid-servant with her, and that she hoped she would shortly become suttee if her honour were not saved. They took a good many valuable nick-nacks with them, and with rare temerity took lodgings in the same street. The town was in an uproar in the morning, and the old sowcár instituted a rigorous search in the neighbouring cities. Huliká