m the king.
Vasantaka volunteers to offer the explanation thus:--"I was observing,
madam, that it would be very difficult to hit my friend's likeness, on
which his Majesty was pleased to give me this specimen of his skill."
The king confirms the explanation. The queen observes, "And the female
standing near you--I suppose this is a specimen of Vasantaka's skill."
The king replies, "What should you suspect? That is a mere fancy
portrait, the original was never seen before." Vasantaka supports the
king thus, "I will swear to this, by my Brahmanical thread, that the
original was never seen before by either of us." Not satisfied with the
explanation, the queen remarks, "My lord, excuse me. Looking at the
picture has given me a slight headache. I leave you to your amusements."

The king observes, "What can I say to you, dearest? I really am at a
loss. If I ask you to forgive me, that is unnecessary, if you are not
offended; and how can I promise to do so no more, when I have committed
no fault, although you will not believe my assertions?" The queen,
detaching herself gently and with politeness, takes leave and goes away
with her attendant. Vasantaka remarks, "Your Majesty has had a lucky
escape. The queen's anger has dispersed like summer clouds." The king
observes. "Away, blockhead, we have no occasion to rejoice; could you
not discover the queen's anger through her unsuccessful attempts to
disguise it? Her face was clouded with a passing frown. As she hung down
her head, she looked on me with an affected smile. She gave utterance to
no angry words, it is true, and the swelling eye glowed not with
rage--but a starting tear was with difficulty repressed; and although
she treated me with politeness, struggling indignation lurked in every
gesture. We must endeavour to pacify her."

To insure the vigilance of Kanchanmala, the queen gives her some of her
own clothes and ornaments. With these it is plotted to equip Sagarika as
the queen. A stolen interview between the king and Sagarika, thus
disguised, is arranged to take place at the _Madhava_ bower about
sunset. The queen gets scent of the matter and forestalls Sagarika by
meeting the king at the appointed time and place. The king, mistaking
her for Sagarika, thus speaks his honest self! "My beloved Sagarika, thy
countenance is radiant as the moon, thy eyes are two lotus buds, thy
hand is the full blown flower, and thy arms, its graceful filaments.
Come thou, whose form is th