at the value which was set upon this
trumpery article out of a bazaar.

But Chali never got tired of looking at it, of admiring it ecstatically.
From time to time she would say to me, "May I touch it?" And when I had
given her permission she raised the lid, closed it again with the
greatest precaution, touched the shells very gently, and the contact
seemed to give her real physical pleasure.

However, I had finished my work, and it was time for me to return. I was
a long time in making up my mind, kept back by my tenderness for my
little friend, but at last I was obliged to fix the day of my departure.

The prince got up fresh hunting excursions and fresh wrestling matches,
and after a fortnight of these pleasures I declared that I could stay no
longer, and he gave me my liberty.

My farewell from Chali was heartrending. She wept, lying beside me, with
her head on my breast, shaken with sobs. I did not know how to console
her; my kisses were no good.

All at once an idea struck me, and getting up I went and got the
shell-box, and putting it into her hands, I said, "That is for you; it
is yours."

Then I saw her smile at first. Her whole face was lighted up with
internal joy, with that profound joy when impossible dreams are suddenly
realized, and she embraced me ardently.

All the same, she wept bitterly when I bade her a last farewell.

I gave paternal kisses and cakes to all the rest of my wives, and then I
started.

II

Two years had passed when my duties again called me to Bombay, and,
because I knew the country and the language well, I was left there to
undertake another mission.

I finished what I had to do as quickly as possible, and as I had a
considerable amount of spare time on my hands I determined to go and see
my friend the King of Ganhard and my dear little Chali once more, though
I expected to find her much changed.

The rajah received me with every demonstration of pleasure, and hardly
left me for a moment during the first day of my visit. At night,
however, when I was alone, I sent for Haribada, and after several
misleading questions I said to him:

"Do you know what has become of little Chali, whom the rajah gave me?"

He immediately assumed a sad and troubled look, and said, in evident
embarrassment:

"We had better not speak of her."

"Why? She was a dear little woman."

"She turned out badly, Sir."

"What--Chali? What has become of her? Where is she?"

"I mean to say tha