Indira and Other Stories/The Two Rings/Chapter 8
VIII
Hiranmayi was much impressed by the raja's aspect. He was a tall handsome man of noble presence, broad-chested and of martial looks; his forehead was lofty, his eyes large and piercing, his demeanour dignified. Not often does a zenana woman see so imposing and attractive a male being. The raja too recognised that even in royal palaces maidens so lovely as the merchant's daughter are not often encountered.
The raja asked, "Is this Hiranmayi?"
Hiranmayi replied, "I am your highness's humble servant."
The raja said, "Hear now why I have sent for you. Do you remember the night of your wedding?"
Hiranmayi replied, "Indeed, sir, I do remember."
"Have you still got the ring which Ananda Swami gave you that night?"
"Maharaj, I have it still. But these are very secret matters. How has your highness cognisance of them?"
Instead of answering this question, the raja said, "Where is your ring? Show it to me."
Hiranmayi replied, "I have left it at home. An hour or more is still wanting till the five years are completed. Therefore I must still obey the Swami's orders forbidding me to wear the ring."
"Well and good. But do you think you could recognise the corresponding ring which Ananda Swami gave to your husband to keep?"
"Both rings were exactly alike. I should of course recognise the other ring from its likeness to mine."
At this, on a sign from the raja, the attendant maid-servant fetched a small casket. The raja, taking a ring from this casket, handed it to Hiranmayi, and said,
"Look at this. Is this the ring?"
Hiranmayi carefully examined it by the light of a lamp, and said,
"Deva, this is in truth my husband's ring. But where did your highness procure it?"
After reflecting a moment, she added,
"Deva, by the sight of this I know that I am a widow. This must have come into your highness's hands by the death of my husband, since such windfalls are your highness's prerogrative as the ruler of this place. Otherwise my husband would certainly never have dared to part with it."
The raja laughed and said, "Take my word for it, madam, you are no widow."
"Then, in that case my husband is even poorer than myself. He must have sold it under pressure of dire want."
"On the contrary, your husband is a wealthy man."
"Then you must have taken the ring from my husband by force or fraud."
The raja was a little astonished at this daring speech. He said, "You are a very rash young woman! No one ever yet charged Raja Madan Deva with being a robber or a cheat!"
"Well, but how did the ring come into your highness's hands?"
"Ananda Swami put it on my finger on the night of your wedding!"
Hiranmayi hung her head with shame at this announcement. She said, "My prince, forgive your handmaiden's offence. I am but a witless being, and have sinned from ignorance."