Page 96 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
P. 96
Around the World in 80 Days
be obliged to submit to from her relatives. They would
shave off her hair, feed her on a scanty allowance of rice,
treat her with contempt; she would be looked upon as an
unclean creature, and would die in some corner, like a
scurvy dog. The prospect of so frightful an existence drives
these poor creatures to the sacrifice much more than love
or religious fanaticism. Sometimes, however, the sacrifice
is really voluntary, and it requires the active interference of
the Government to prevent it. Several years ago, when I
was living at Bombay, a young widow asked permission of
the governor to be burned along with her husband’s body;
but, as you may imagine, he refused. The woman left the
town, took refuge with an independent rajah, and there
carried out her self-devoted purpose.’
While Sir Francis was speaking, the guide shook his
head several times, and now said: ‘The sacrifice which will
take place to-morrow at dawn is not a voluntary one.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Everybody knows about this affair in Bundelcund.’
‘But the wretched creature did not seem to be making
any resistance,’ observed Sir Francis.
‘That was because they had intoxicated her with fumes
of hemp and opium.’
‘But where are they taking her?’
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