A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.102

v1.c9.102

of Jadow Rao. It is usual for all casts of Hindoos to meet on that occasion at the residence of some principal person, on the fifth day of the festival; and when there is any footing of intimacy, the children often accompany their fathers to the place of assembly. Shahjee on this occasion was noticed by Jadow Rao, who good naturedly called the boy towards him, and seated him beside his daughter named Jeejee, a pretty child of three or four years old. The children began to play together, when Jadow Rao, in the joy of his heart, thoughtlessly asked his daughter, ‘ Well, girl, wilt thou take this boy as thy husband ?’ and turning round to the company, observed in the same strain, ‘ they are a fine pair.’ The children at this time happening to throw some of the red colour at each other, which is a common amusement on this festival, the circumstance occasioned a great deal of laughter in the assembly. This mirth, however, was disturbed by Mallojee Bhonslay’s rising up and saying, ‘ take notice, friends, Jadow has this day become a contracting party with me in marriage’; to which some of those present assented; but Jadow seemed astonished, and was mute. Affecting to treat what had passed as a mere joke, Jadow Rao next day asked Mallojee to a dinner, but he declined the invitation, unless Jadow would formally recognize Shahjee as his son-in-law. This Jadow Rao peremptorily refused; and his wife being a proud woman of high spirit, was very indignant at his having, even in jest, matched her daughter with such a person as the son of Mallojee Bhonslay. Mallojee appears, however, to have been crafty and persevering, little scrupulous about the means employed, so that his end could be attained. He retired to his village, where it is pretended that the goddess Bhowanee, having appeared to him,