her that the house with everything in it was her property. She looked amazed and confounded, and was about to break forth into exclamations of joy and gratitude, when the old Brahmin, and the woman who called on her, suddenly became invisible. On the place where they had stood were two pillars of light, and two distinct voices were heard one after the other. The first was the voice of the woman, speaking thus, "My daughter, unable to bear the sight of your woes, I, Lakshmi, sent one of my servants in the shape of a dog with the cowrie, which was in reality a mánik, and as the money you got on pawning it must be securely kept, I have with my husband, Náráyan, had this place built for you by Vishvakarma, our architect. Live here with your son, in wealth, luxury and peace. All I ask of you in return is to worship me yourself and persuade others to do so too."
Náráyan said, "You, good woman, are the favourite of my wife. I shall ever remain with you, though invisible. Remove your wealth here and with the money which you will find now in the east room redeem the mánik, and keep it always with you."
The god and goddess having taken their departure, the Brahmini did as she had been told by Náráyan. What a contrast there was between her present and her former position! She who but the day before was a famished beggar was now the mistress of a place filled with treasure and servants waiting to do her bidding. After the lapse of a few years, she secured a wife for her son, not from among princesses or daughters of the rich, since these high-born ladies, she thought, would be too haughty and overbearing to suit her. She selected her daughter-in-law from amongst the middle classes, and the choice for a time seemed wise and the marriage promised to prove a happy one.
The girl's head, however, was soon turned by the wealth in the house. She became very luxurious and prodigal, and her mother-in-law at last was forced to protest against her extravagance, saying, "O Bouma,[1] do not act like this, for my
- ↑ Daughter-in-law.
