la had been in fault,
which she certainly has not. What is to be done?

PRIYAMVADA. [_Entering; joyfully_.

Quick! quick! Anasuya! come and assist in the joyful preparations
for [S']akoontala's departure to her husband's palace.

ANASUYA.

My dear girl, what can you mean?

PRIYAMVADA.

Listen, now, and I will tell you all about it. I went just now to
[S']akoontala, to inquire whether she had slept comfortably--

ANASUYA.

Well, well; go on.

PRIYAMVADA.

She was sitting with her face bowed down to the very ground with
shame, when Father Kanwa entered, and, embracing her, of his own
accord offered her his congratulations. 'I give thee joy, my
child,' he said, 'we have had an auspicious omen. The priest who
offered the oblation dropped it into the very centre of the
sacred fire [81], though thick smoke obstructed his vision.
Henceforth thou wilt cease to be an object of compassion. This
very day I purpose sending thee, under the charge of certain
trusty hermits, to the King's palace; and shall deliver thee into
the hands of thy husband, as I would commit knowledge to the
keeping of a wise and faithful student.'

ANASUYA.

Who, then, informed the holy father of what passed in his
absence?

PRIYAMVADA.

As he was entering the sanctuary of the consecrated fire, an
invisible being chanted a verse in celestial strains.

ANASUYA. [_With astonishment_.

Indeed! pray repeat it.

PRIYAMVADA. [_Repeating the verse_.

Glows in thy daughter King Dushyanta's glory,
As in the sacred tree the mystic fire [62];
Let worlds rejoice to hear the welcome story,
And may the son immortalize the sire.

ANASUYA. [_Embracing_ PRIYAMVADA.

Oh, my dear Priyamvada, what delightful news! I am pleased
beyond measure; yet when I think that we are to lose our dear
[S']akoontala this very day, a feeling of melancholy mingles with
my joy.

PRIYAMVADA.

We shall find means of consoling ourselves after her departure.
Let the dear creature only be made happy at any cost.

ANASUYA.

Yes, yes, Priyamvada, it shall be so; and now to prepare the
bridal array. I have always looked forward to this occasion, and
some time since, I deposited a beautiful garland of Ke[S']ara
flowers in a cocoa-nut box, and suspended it on a bough of
yonder mango-tree. Be good enough to stretch out your hand and
t