114 
SCENES IN INDIA, 
skeleton ; his bones protruded so disagreeably, and 
the whole development of his meagre frame was so 
distinct, that he might have been a perfect study 
for an anatomist. In spite, however, of his stunted 
figure, nothing could exceed the sinister expression 
of his countenance : it was perfectly demoniacal. At 
times his eyes sparkled with all the ferocity of one 
of his own kindred asuras ; * at others it mildly ra- 
diated with that expression of sardonic humility 
which makes you fear while you detect the hy- 
pocrite. 
“ This semi-monster bore the character of a person 
pre-eminently holy ; and, to say the truth, he per- 
formed the severest penances, nor shrank from the 
most excruciating self-inflictions, on which account 
he was so venerated by the inhabitants of the town, 
that they visited him daily in crowds to receive his 
benedictions, looking upon him to be little short of 
a divinity. It was known that he had with him a 
beautiful Hindoo, who was the constant partner of 
his cell, though seldom permitted to be seen ; in- 
deed, she never left her dreary abode but for water 
or some other domestic purpose. I had seen her as 
she occasionally repaired to the river to replenish her 
gumlahs ; t yet, whenever any one addressed her, she 
invariably maintained a stubborn silence, at the same 
time evincing, by her nervous timidity of manner, 
that she was held in terror by some powerful but 
mysterious influence. I confess I was always much 
struck with her beauty whenever I saw her, and the 
* Asuras are the evil spirits of Hindoo mythology. 
t Water-pots carried on the head by the Hindoo women. 
