THE TWO RINGS
that the claims thus set up were just, and, a true merchant's daughter, sold all she had to clear her father's fair fame and pay his debts.
Reduced finally to dire need, the poor girl hired a small thatched hut on the outskirts of the town and dwelt there in extreme obscurity and poverty. Her only hope now lay in her spiritual guide, the guru, Ananda Swami. Unfortunately, he was then absent in a far country, nor had Hiranmayi anyone whom she could send to communicate her misfortunes to her only surviving friend and guardian.
V
Hiranmayi was a beautiful young woman. It was not fitting that she should sleep alone in a house by herself. Not only was there obvious risk, but there might be occasion for scandalous gossip. It happened that one Amala, daughter of a milkman by caste, dwelt hard by. This woman was a widow with a baby son and some young daughters. This person had passed the age of youth and attractiveness, and had the
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