Page:Sketches of some distinguished Indian women.djvu/101

Rh ladies. Still bound by prejudice and tradition, they look upon the mixing of the two sexes in social intercourse as a scandal, and regard the example set by the Maharani as one to be avoided, not followed.

On more than one occasion the Maharani has had reason to complain of incivility from her own countrymen whom she has met at some official gathering, and therefore it is not to be wondered at if she does not invite them to her own house.

The above facts will no doubt surprise many, and will perhaps make English people understand rather better the sort of difficulties which beset the path of social reformers in India, and which ought to enlist our sympathy and respect for those who are brave enough to face them.

The Maharajah and Maharani always spend some months of the year at Kuch Behar, the capital of their little territory, where they have a fine estate; but during the hot weather they usually follow the example set them by English people, and go to the hills, either to Darjiling or Simla, where they mix a good deal in society. They keep up the native custom of having many members of their family to live with them, and their "house-party" is always a large one. They have several children, of whom the youngest, born soon after their return from England, is named Victor in honour of Her Majesty. These children