INDIRA AND OTHER STORIES
to recover your first wife, there might be trouble between the two ladies."
The wretch laughed carelessly and said, "No fear of that, my dear! Supposing she were to turn up, I should not take her back. Think of the scandal! What has become of her caste all this while?"
It was like a thunderbolt! All my hopes were shattered in an instant. What, even if I had revealed myself to him, he would not have accepted me as his wife! Was my growing regard for the creature to be squandered by his cruel words?
I had the courage to ask nevertheless, "If you should meet her now, what would you do?"
He said, with a resolute air, "I should refuse to have anything to do with her."
The heartless wretch! I stood transfixed to stone! I was sick and giddy with disappointment and disgust!
And as I sat there, at the bedside of my dear, dear husband, I said to myself, "Either you shall
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