Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/37

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INDIRA

looked carefully about him when he left the inner apartments, he could not fail to see me. I said to myself, "if he departs without looking about for another glimpse of me, then at the mature age of twenty, I do not know anything about the male sex." I will tell you the plain truth—and you must try to forgive me. I threw off my veil, and stood shamelessly with bared face. I am ashamed to write it now, but reflect in what trouble of mind I was then!

First of all Ramram passed out. He of course looked straight in front of him, and did not notice me. Then came my husband. My heart throbbed when I saw that he was looking about him—as if he was searching for some one. His eyes fell on me. Of course I knew for whom he was looking. As soon as I caught his eye—how shall I say it? I am covered with confusion. But as it is the cobra's habit to expand his hood before he strikes, so it is with a woman's glance. And why should I not put a little extra poison into my look, seeing that I knew that he was really and truly my "lord and

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