s must be done. Take us both,
therefore, to the place from which you brought her."

Bowing down in submission, they lifted us from the ground, carried us
through the air, and placed us while it was yet night in the
apartments of the princess. There she introduced me to her attendants,
assigned me a room in the upper story where I might most easily escape
detection, and appointed them to keep watch so that no one might enter
her apartments without notice. I had thus abundant opportunities of
being with the princess; but though my love daily increased, I made no
further advances to her.

One day some of her women came with tears in their eyes, and bowing
down to my feet, said, with whispering timid voice, "O gracious sir,
our lady is doubly yours, since she was gained by your own valour
when you rescued her from death, and is assigned to you by the
all-powerful God of Love. Do not let her languish in vain. Make her
your wife without delay." With this request I could not refuse to
comply, and taking the hand of the princess, I declared our solemn
union.

For a time we enjoyed the greatest happiness. It was destined,
however, to be of no long duration; our separation was at hand, for
now was the time of spring, when the trees were covered with blossoms
bent down by the eager bees, and the song of birds was resounding
among their branches waved by the soft south wind, bearing perfume
from the sandal groves of Malaya; at which season the king was
accustomed to go with all his court to the sea-shore, and there, in
tents under the shade of lofty trees, to enjoy the cool sea breezes.

My bride of course went with the rest; and as there was no possibility
of concealing me in such a place, I was obliged, though reluctantly,
to let her depart alone, consoling myself by looking forward to her
return.

The royal party had not long been gone, when news was brought to the
city that the king and all his court, thinking only of enjoyment, and
unsuspicious of danger, had been captured by Jayasinha, King of
Andhra, who, sailing with a large fleet, had suddenly landed and taken
them by surprise.

This news caused me the greatest consternation. "Jayasinha," I
thought, "will certainly be captivated by the beauty of the princess;
she will take poison rather than submit to his embraces; and I could
not long survive her, for how could I live without her?"

While perplexed with this thought, and not knowing what to do, I heard
of a brah