________________
146
The thief replied:
"It is enough if you sacrifice your ornaments, keep your life with you only. I do not need it. How can anyone trust a characterless woman?"
Chandrudra took off all her ornaments. He also beat her severely. He went away. Lakshmi was left alone abusing him. She looked like a demoness with torn out clothes.
Iganorent of all these, Dharan was sleeping in the Yaksha temple. After the departure of the thief and Lakshmi, the policemen came in a short time. They arrested Dharan with solid proof of stolen materials found near him. No more proof was required. The king passed a deathsentence on him. Dharan could raise his hand in shame. He stood near the gallows down-faced. What can a male do who is caught in the net cast by a cunning wife! Who would trust him?
