DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5832#0196
THE RAJPOOTNI BRIDE.
167
upon it, according to the custom of her race, should
the object of her tenderest attachment perish in
the encounter. She knew the disparity of num-
bers between the hostile parties, and was there-
fore prepared for the worst. When the distracted
bridegroom entered the enclosure in which his de-
voted sita had erected the funeral pile, with a con-
vulsed countenance and bursting heart he beheld her
already upon the burning fabric. The flames were
rapidly ascending to do the work of death, while she
stood erect and undaunted with an expression of stern
determination on her countenance that absolutely
appalled him. Her eye gleamed with a portentous
energy, and as he entered was riveted upon him with
a look of withering scorn. Her clothes were already
on fire, and her limbs dreadfully scorched, yet she
stirred not a muscle; her whole frame seemed fixed
like a rock amid the desert upon which the lightnings
flash with harmless impetuosity. The Rahtore ap^
proached her hurriedly, but she raised her arm, for-
bidding his advance. He was in a moment riveted
to the spot. He dared not interrupt the voluntary
sacrifice to which she was now submitting. Her eye
moved not from him, and never for a moment relaxed
its expression of indignant disdain.
By this time the fire had made dreadful inroads
upon her lovely frame; still she discovered not the
slightest indication of an agony too intense and ter-
rible for description. Her features maintained the
same fearful immobility. In a few moments her legs
gave way and she fell upon her knees, the flames
entirely encircling her. Every now and then, how-
167
upon it, according to the custom of her race, should
the object of her tenderest attachment perish in
the encounter. She knew the disparity of num-
bers between the hostile parties, and was there-
fore prepared for the worst. When the distracted
bridegroom entered the enclosure in which his de-
voted sita had erected the funeral pile, with a con-
vulsed countenance and bursting heart he beheld her
already upon the burning fabric. The flames were
rapidly ascending to do the work of death, while she
stood erect and undaunted with an expression of stern
determination on her countenance that absolutely
appalled him. Her eye gleamed with a portentous
energy, and as he entered was riveted upon him with
a look of withering scorn. Her clothes were already
on fire, and her limbs dreadfully scorched, yet she
stirred not a muscle; her whole frame seemed fixed
like a rock amid the desert upon which the lightnings
flash with harmless impetuosity. The Rahtore ap^
proached her hurriedly, but she raised her arm, for-
bidding his advance. He was in a moment riveted
to the spot. He dared not interrupt the voluntary
sacrifice to which she was now submitting. Her eye
moved not from him, and never for a moment relaxed
its expression of indignant disdain.
By this time the fire had made dreadful inroads
upon her lovely frame; still she discovered not the
slightest indication of an agony too intense and ter-
rible for description. Her features maintained the
same fearful immobility. In a few moments her legs
gave way and she fell upon her knees, the flames
entirely encircling her. Every now and then, how-