SUYA.

Go quickly, dear Priyamvada, throw yourself at his feet, and
persuade him to come back, while I prepare a propitiatory
offering[59] for him, with water and refreshments.

PRIYAMVADA.

I will.

[_Exit_.

ANASUYA.

[_Advancing hastily a few steps and stumbling_.

Alas! alas! this comes of being in a hurry. My foot has slipped,
and my basket of flowers has fallen from my hand.

[_Stays to gather them up_.

PRIYAMVADA. [_Re-entering_

Well, dear Anasuya, I have done my best; but what living being
could succeed in pacifying such a cross-grained, ill-tempered old
fellow? However, I managed to mollify him a little.

ANASUYA [_Smiling_.

Even a little was much for him. Say on.

PRIYAMVADA.

When he refused to turn back, I implored his forgiveness in these
words: 'Most venerable sage, pardon, I beseech you, this first
offence of a young and inexperienced girl, who was ignorant of
the respect due to your saintly character and exalted rank.'

ANASUYA

And what did he reply?

PRIYAMVADA.

'My word must not be falsified; but, at the sight of the ring of
recognition the spell shall cease.' So saying, he disappeared.

ANASUYA.

Oh! then we may breathe again; for, now I think of it, the King
himself, at his departure, fastened on [S']akoontala's finger, as a
token of remembrance, a ring on which his own name was engraved.
She has, therefore, a remedy for her misfortune at her own
command.

PRIYAMVADA.

Come, dear Anasuya, let us proceed with our religious duties.

[_They walk round_.

PRIYAMVADA. [_Looking off the stage_.

See, Anasuya, there sits our dear friend, motionless as a statue,
resting her face on her left hand, her whole mind absorbed in
thinking of her absent husband. She can pay no attention to
herself, much less to a stranger.

ANASUYA.

Priyamvada, let this affair never pass our lips. We must spare
our dear friend's feelings. Her constitution is too delicate to
bear much emotion.

PRIYAMVADA.

I agree with you. Who would think of watering a tender jasmine
with hot water?

ACT IV.

Scene.--_The Neighbourhood of the Hermitage.

Enter one of_ Kanwa's Pupils _just arisen from his couch at the
dawn of day_.

PUPIL.

My maste