MÁTHAVYA.—By what luck did you contrive to escape her?
CHATURIKÁ.—While her maid was disengaging her mantle, which had caught in the branch of a shrub, I ran away.
KING.—Here, my good friend, take the picture and conceal it. My attentions to the Queen have made her presumptuous. She will be here in a minute.
MÁTHAVYA.—Conceal the picture! conceal myself, you mean. [Getting up and taking the picture.] The Queen has a bitter draught in store for you, which you will have to swallow as Siva did the poison at the Deluge. When you are well quit of her, you may send and call me from the Palace of Clouds,[[42]] where I shall take refuge.
[Exit, running.
SÁNUMATÍ [aside].—Although the King's affections are transferred to another object, yet he respects his previous attachments. I fear his love must be somewhat fickle.
VETRAVATÍ [entering with a despatch in her hand].—Victory to the King!
KING.—-Vetravatí, did you observe the Queen Vasumatí coming in this direction?
VETRAVATÍ.—I did; but when she saw that I had a despatch in my hand for your Majesty, she turned back.
KING.—The Queen has too much regard for propriety to interrupt me when I am engaged with state-affairs.
VETRAVATÍ.—So please your Majesty, your Prime Minister begs respectfully to inform you that he has devoted much time to the settlement of financial calculations, and only one case of importance has been submitted by the citizens for his consideration. He has made a written report of the facts, and requests your Majesty to cast your eyes over it.