“After reflecting for some time, she said Though my husband so neglects me, I know that he is very fond of women in general, and ready to be captivated by any one, especially respectable woman who will give him a little encouragement.  Acting on this propensity, I think, with your help, that something may be done.  There is a young lady, a neighbour, the daughter of a very rich man, in great favour with the Rajah; she is a friend of mine, and is very like me.  As my husband hardly knows her by sight, and scarcely ever sees me, it might be possible to pass myself off for her.  Do you, therefore, go to him and say that that young lady is in love with him, and that you will introduce him to her, only he must not give a hint that you have told him anything.  Meanwhile I will arrange with my friend, and will be walking in her father’s garden some evening, when you can bring him in.’  The old woman was delighted with this contrivance, and promised to perform her part.  She went, therefore, soon afterwards with a pretended message of love from the merchant’s daughter to Balabhadra, who was delighted at having attracted the attention of such a charming young lady, and took care to be at the appointed time in the garden, where he saw his neglected wife playing at ball.  As if by accident, she threw the ball towards him, and the old woman said:  This is an invitation; pick up the ball, and take it to her with a pretty speech, and you will get acquainted with her.’  In this way an intimacy began, and he often met his wife in the same place in the evening without in the least suspecting the deception.  At last she gave him a hint that she was ready to run away with him.  Madly in love, he eagerly caught at the proposal, and one night, having collected what money he could carry, he eloped with her, saying nothing to any of his friends.  They were much astonished by his sudden disappearance; but when they found that Ratnavati was gone also, they readily believed the story told by the old woman, that he had fallen in love with his own wife; but was ashamed to acknowledge this after having so long neglected her, and was therefore gone to live in another place, where he was not known.  Believing this story, her relations and his thought it best to take no steps in the matter, and abstained from making inquiry after him.

“Meanwhile Balabhadra went to a town at some distance, and there by his skill and energy, though beginning with a small capital, amassed in a few years a considerable fortune, and was much respected in the place.

“When Ratnavati eloped under another name, she engaged a woman to accompany her as a servant; and this woman one day having committed some fault, was beaten by her master, who scolded her and told her she was lazy, thievish, and impudent.  Smarting under the punishment, she determined to be revenged, and going to the magistrate told him:  ’This man, who seems to you so respectable, is a wicked wretch who has abandoned his own wife, and run away in the night with the daughter of one of his neighbours, with whom he is now living.’