INDIRA AND OTHER STORIES
tenance for you. He entrusted the task of providing for your comfort to me, and made himself responsible for any expenditure I might incur. Moreover he laid this injunction upon me. Your husband, so he informed me, is an inhabitant of this city and he desired me to take such measures as would make it impossible for you and him to meet. He has told me who your husband is. Since that time I have supplied Amala with the funds required to keep you in health and comfort. It was really I who purchased your father's house and caused you to enter into occupation of it. It was I who sent you the diamond necklace. That was to test your fidielity."
"Where, then," asked Hiranmayi, "did your highness procure this ring? Why did you put me to pain and shame by pretending that you yourself were my lord and master? Why, too, did you allow me to remain in the belief that I was Purandar's tenant and under obligations to him?"
"From the day that I received Ananda
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