Vajramukut smiled, the first time for the last month.
‘When she applied it to her ear, it was as if she would have explained to thee, “I am a daughter of the Carnatic;”[54] and when she bit it with her teeth, she meant to say that “My father is Raja Dantawat,”[55] who, by the bye, has been, is, and ever will be, a mortal foe to thy father.’
Vajramukut shuddered.
‘When she put it under her foot it meant, “My name is Padmavati.”’[56]
Vajramukut uttered a cry of joy.
‘And when she placed it in her bosom, “You are truly dwelling in my heart” was meant to be understood.’
At these words the young Raja started up full of new life, and after praising with enthusiasm the wondrous sagacity of his dear friend, begged him by some contrivance to obtain the permission of his parents, and to conduct him to her city. The minister’s son easily got leave for Vajramukut to travel, under pretext that his body required change of water, and his mind change of scene. They both dressed and armed themselves for the journey, and having taken some jewels, mounted their horses and followed the road in that direction in which the princess had gone.
Arrived after some days at the capital of the Carnatic, the minister’s son having disguised his master and himself in the garb of travelling traders, alighted and pitched his little tent upon a clear bit of ground in one of the suburbs. He then proceeded to inquire for a wise woman, wanting, he said, to have his fortune told. When the prince asked him what this meant, he replied that elderly dames who professionally predict the future are never above ministering to the present, and therefore that, in such circumstances, they are the properest persons to be consulted.
‘Is this a treatise upon the subject of immorality, devil?’ demanded the King Vikram ferociously. The Baital declared that it was not, but that he must tell his story.