Indira and Other Stories/Radharani/Chapter 6
VI.
When the young pair were a little recovered from the emotion of this sentimental interview, Radharani said,
"You have told me, sir, that your name is not really Rukmini Kumar. May your obedient servant know by what name she is to address her benefactor?"
"My name, madam, is Devendranath Ray."
"I have heard people speak of the Raja Devendranath Ray."
"The countryfolk give me that title. If you will call me the Kumar Devendranath Ray, I shall be sufficiently honoured."
"In that case, I am encouraged to make a daring request. Since I have now learned that we are caste-fellows, may I hope that my kind benefactor will accept my hospitality to-day?"
The raja graciously said, "Madam, since it is your wish, it would grieve me to depart without breaking bread under your roof."
By his mistress's orders the head bailiff conducted the raja to the men's apartments, and made suitable arrangements for his comfort. At the due time a collation was served to him, and his fair hostess herself waited upon her honoured guest.
When the meal was over, Radharani said, "For many years I have cherished the hope that I might have the joy of paying my respects and showing my gratitude to my benefactor. I had indeed prepared a little present which I will beg your highness to accept. This necklace is of little intrinsic value, but perhaps your highness's honoured lady will condescend to wear it as a favour to one who has reason to feel grateful to you and yours."
So saying, Radharani offered her guest a magnificent necklace, as brilliant as the glittering row of the zodiacal stars in the midnight sky.
But the raja replied, "My honoured lady, the wife of my childhood died ten years ago. I have never married again."
Radharani was filled with joy and confusion. She strove to control herself. But it was with broken and eagerly uttered words that she said, "Still, sir, I must beg you to accept the gift your servant has prepared for you. Have I your highness's gracious permission to put this poor necklace on your honoured neck?"
With these words, the girl, smiling and blushing, put the splendid and glittering ornament round the raja's neck.
Devendranath laughed to see himself thus gorgeously adorned.
"Is this beautiful necklace really mine?" he asked.
"If you be pleased to accept it."
"I accept it", he replied gravely. "And since it is now mine, may I give it to whom I will?"
"What is not worthy to be worn by your highness—such is the practice of princes—may be conferred upon any fitting person."
"This necklace is not fitted for my wearing, or rather, it is I who am not worthy to wear it. You alone are lovely enough to wear so lovely an adornment. Let me present it to you."
In such fashion, of old time, did man and maid contract marriage by an interchange of garlands. The raja clasped the necklace round Radharani's slim and graceful neck.
Radharani was not displeased. She hung down her head for a moment, and then glanced at her guest with amused and mischievous eyes. The raja understood her thoughts.
"I could, not accept that necklace, as you know, and so gave it to you. But will you give me another one?"
"Which one?"
"The one you wear, warm from your own bosom."
Radharani called to a maidservant. "Chitra!" she cried, "are you there?"
Chitra, let me observe, was watching these astonishing proceedings from behind a curtain. "Here I am, mistress," she said.
Radharani said, "Where is your conch?" (I should explain to Western readers that conch shells are blown by women on joyous and auspicious occasions.)
Chitra replied, "Mistress, here it is!"
"Well then," said Radharani joyfully, "blow your loudest!"
And then the gracious maiden with a smile loosed her own necklace, warm and fragrant from her bosom, and clasped it round her lover's neck. Chitra blew a loud blast on her conch, to warn all and sundry that a very important event had taken place!
Do you ask me whether the young pair were duly married? Of course they were married, and Vasanta came to the wedding, and all her many brothers came, and flocks of the raja's people came. But surely you have heard enough of Radharani's trials and happiness.