Hira entered the service of the Datta family.

She was then about twenty years of age, younger than most of the other servants, but in intelligence and in mental qualities their superior.

Hira had been known in Govindpur from childhood as a widow, but no one had ever heard anything of her husband, neither had any one heard of any stain upon her character.

She was something of a shrew.
She dressed and adorned herself as one whose husband is living.

She was beautiful, of brilliant complexion, lotus-eyed, short in stature, her face like the moon covered with clouds, her hair raised in front like a snake-hood.
Hira was sitting alone singing.