ŚAKOONTALÁ [pretending anger].—Anasúyá, I shall leave you.
ANASÚYÁ.—Why so?
ŚAKOONTALÁ.—That I may go and report this impertinent Priyamvadá to the venerable matron, Gautamí.[[34]]
ANASÚYÁ.—Surely, dear friend, it would not be right to leave a distinguished guest before he has received the rights of hospitality, and quit his presence in this wilful manner.
[Śakoontalá, without answering a word, moves away.
KING [making a movement to arrest her departure, but checking himself. Aside].—Ah! a lover's feelings betray themselves by his gestures.
When I would fain have stayed the maid, a sense
Of due decorum checked my bold design:
Though I have stirred not, yet my mien betrays
My eagerness to follow on her steps.
PRIYAMVADÁ [holding Śakoontalá back].—Dear Śakoontalá, it does not become you to go away in this manner.
ŚAKOONTALÁ [frowning].—Why not, pray?
PRIYAMVADÁ.—You are under a promise to water two more shrubs for me. When you have paid your debt, you shall go, and not before.
[Forces her to turn back.