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e, has fallen in love with Maini and wants to marry her. He is willing to pay the den mohur of Rs. 100 which would be due from you in case of repudiation. Now we want you to divorce her." Ramzan was overcome by his wife's magnanimity, and the thought of losing her drove him to distraction. "No!" he shouted, "I won't divorce her. I'll fetch her back this very day!" "That's quite out of the question," rejoined Sadhu. "Maini cannot bear her mother-in-law's cruelty, and I'm sure she'll never consent to live with you again. Besides, Esaf is a rich man and will make her happy. She shall marry him." "I say she shan't," said Ramzan emphatically. Sadhu got up and moved off, remarking, "Very well, I will go to the police station at once and charge you with attempting to kill her! We shall soon worm the truth out of Maini, and get plenty of eye-witnesses too." Ramzan was beside himself with terror. He followed Sadhu, clasped his feet, and groaned, "No, you won't do that! I am ready to divorce Maini. Let Allah's will be done." "Ah," replied Sadhu, "so you can listen to reason after all. Come to our house to-morrow evening; we will have witnesses ready, and Esaf will be there with the den mohur." Ramzan had a sleepless night and was too downcast to work on the morrow. When evening came, he walked wearily to Simulgachi. There was quite a small crowd in Sadhu's courtyard. On one side sat Maini and some other women with faces closely covered; Esaf and the witnesses were on the other. Between them was a mat, on which lay a bag full of money. Ramzan was received without salutations, and squatted down by Sadhu's side. Moslem husbands can get rid of their wives by repeating the word talaq (surrender) thrice, in the presence of witnesses. Every one expected him to utter the formula, which would release Maini from his power. However, he sat silent, with downcast eyes. After a minute or two, he rose and, looking steadily at Maini, was just about to speak, when she sprang forward, laid her hand on his arm, and said: "Surely you are not going to divorce me, your faithful wife, who loves you dearly and seeks only to make you happy? What have I done to be treated thus?" A murmur was heard in the assembly, but Sadhu raised his hand in token of silence. "Foolish girl!" he exclaimed, "do you wish to return to a mother-in-law who hates and persecutes you? Will Ramzan be able to protect you?" Then lowering his voice, he add
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