e shrine of ecstasy, come to my arms."

The queen throws off her veil and says:--"Believe me still Sagarika, my
good lord; your heart is so fascinated by her, you fancy you behold
Sagarika in everything." The king replies, "forgive me, dearest." The
queen remarks, "Address not this to me, my lord--the epithet is
another's property." The king falls at her feet. The queen observes,
"Rise, my lord, rise! that wife must be unreasonable indeed, who, with
such evidence of her lord's affection, can presume to be offended. Be
happy, I take my leave." She now goes away.

Sagarika, dressed as the queen, goes some way to meet the king when she
thinks of putting an end at once to her sufferings and her life and
fastens the noose round her neck with the fibres of the _Madhavi_. The
king, who is seeking for the queen in hopes to pacify her anger,
discovers Sagarika on the way and mistakes her for the queen. He rushes
to her and tears off the tendril. He soon discovers his mistake,
embraces her and observes, "When the bosom of my queen swells with
sighs, I express concern; when she is sullen, I soothe her; when her
brows are bent, and her face is distorted with anger, I fall prostrate
at her feet. These marks of respect are due to her exalted position; but
the regard that springs from vehement affection, that is yours alone."

At this time, the queen, who has overheard the speech, comes forward and
says, "I believe you, my lord, I believe you." The king explains his
conduct thus:--"Why, then, you need not be offended. Cannot you perceive
that I have been attracted hither, and misled by the resemblance of your
dress and person? Be composed, I beg you." He falls at her feet. She
observes, "Rise, rise, let not my exalted station put you to such
unnecessary inconvenience."

Vasantaka takes up the noose, shows it to the queen and explains his
conduct thus, "It is very true, madam, I assure you, that, deceived by
the belief that you were attempting to destroy yourself, I brought my
friend to this spot, to preserve, as I thought, your life." By order of
the queen, Kanchanmala puts the noose over his neck, beats him and
carries him off an unfortunate captive. The king thinks, "What an
unlucky business this is! What is to be done? How shall I dissipate the
rage that clouds the smiling countenance of the queen! How rescue
Sagarika from the dread of her resentment, or liberate my friend
Basantaka? I am quite bewildered with these events, and