The ring must have slipped off when thou wast in the act of offering homage to the holy water of [S']achí's sacred pool, near Sakrávatára[82].

KING. [Smiling.

People may well talk of the readiness of woman's invention! Here is an instance of it.

[S']AKOONTALÁ.

Say, rather, of the omnipotence of fate. I will mention another circumstance, which may yet convince thee.

KING.

By all means let me hear it at once.

[S']AKOONTALÁ.

One day, while we were seated in a jasmine-bower, thou didst pour into the hollow of thine hand some water, sprinkled by a recent shower in the cup of a lotus-blossom—

KING.