[Enter ROHINI]
SUDARSHANA.
I have not done well—I have not done well, Rohini. I feel ashamed to ask you what happened. I have just realised that no hand can really give the greatest of gifts. Still, let me hear all.
ROHINI.
When I gave the King those flowers, he did not appear to understand anything.
SUDARSHANA.
You don’t say so? He did not understand
ROHINI.
No; he sat there like a doll, without uttering a single word. I think he did not want to show that he understood nothing, so he just held his tongue.
SUDARSHANA.
Fie on me! My shamelessness has been justly punished. Why did you not bring back my flowers?
ROHINI.
How could I? The King of Kanchi, a very clever man, who was sitting by him, took in everything at a glance, and he just smiled a bit and said, “Emperor, the Queen Sudarshana sends your Majesty her greetings with these blossoms—the blossoms that belong to the God of Love, the friend of Spring.” The King seemed to awake with a start, and said, “This is the crown of all my regal glory to-night.” I was coming back, all out of countenance, when the King of Kanchi took off this necklace of jewels from the King’s person, and said to me, “Friend, the King’s garland gives itself up to you, in return for the happy fortune you have brought.”
SUDARSHANA.
What, Kanchi had to make the King understand all this! Woe is me, to-night’s festival has opened wide for me the doors of ignominy and shame! What else could I expect? Leave me alone, Rohini; I want solitude for a time. [ROHINI goes out.] A great blow has shattered my pride to atoms to-day, and yet . . . I cannot efface from my mind that beautiful, fascinating figure! No pride is left me-I am beaten, vanquished, utterly helpless. . . . I cannot even turn away from him. Oh, how the wish comes back to me again and again—to ask that garland of Rohini! But what would she think! Rohini!
[Enter ROHINI]
ROHINI.
What is your wish?