SUDARSHANA.
[re-entering] King, O King!
SURANGAMA.
He has gone away.
SUDARSHANA.
Gone away? Well then, . . . then he has cast me off for good! I have come back, but he could not wait a single instant for me! Very well, then, I am now perfectly free. Surangama, did he ask you to keep me back?
SURANGAMA.
No, he said nothing.
SUDARSHANA.
Why should he say anything? Why should he care for me? . . . I am then free, perfectly free. But, Surangama, I wanted to ask one thing of the King, but could not utter it in his presence. Tell me if he has punished the prisoners with death.
SURANGAMA.
Death? My King never punishes with death.
SUDARSHANA.
What has he done to them, then?
SURANGAMA.
He has set them at liberty. Kanchi has acknowledged his defeat and gone back to his kingdom.
SUDARSHANA.
Ah, what a relief!
SURANGAMA.
My Queen, I have one prayer to make to you.