The doctor, when he came, was very much puzzled, but he looked as wise as he could, ordered perfect rest and all manner of disagreeable medicines.  He was very much surprised at the change he noticed in his patient, who, instead of angrily declaring that there was nothing the matter with him, was evidently in a great fright about his health.  He shut himself up for many days, and it was a long time before he got over the shock he had received, and then it was too late for him to be revenged or the lovers.

23.  Can you explain what casting a spell means?

24.  Can you give an instance of a spell being cast on any one you have heard of?

CHAPTER XIII

Having really got rid of Agni-Sikha, Rupa-Sikha and her husband were very soon out of his reach and in the country belonging to Sringa-Bhuja’s father, who had bitterly mourned the loss of his favourite son.  When the news was brought to him that two strangers, a handsome young man and a beautiful woman, who appeared to be husband and wife, had entered his capital, he hastened forth to meet them, hoping that perhaps they could give him news of Sringa-Bhuja.  What was his joy when he recognised his dear son, holding the jewelled arrow, which had led him into such trouble, in his right hand, as he guided Marat with his left!  The king flung himself from his horse, and Sringa-Bhuja, giving the reins to Rupa-Sikha, also dismounted.  The next moment he was in his father’s arms, everything forgotten and forgiven in the happy reunion.

Great was the rejoicing over Sringa-Bhuja’s return and hearty was the welcome given to his beautiful bride, who quickly won all hearts but those of the wicked wives and sons who had tried to harm her husband and his mother.  They feared the anger of the king, when he found out how they had deceived him, and they were right to fear.  Sringa-Bhuja’s very first act was to plead for his mother to be set free.  He would not tell any of his adventures, he said, till she could hear them too; and the king, full of remorse for the way he had treated her, went with him to the prison in which she had been shut up all this time.  What was poor Guna-Vara’s joy, when the two entered the place in which she had shed so many tears!  She could not at first believe her eyes or ears, but soon she realised that her sufferings were indeed over.  She could not be quite happy till her beloved husband said he knew she had never loved any one but him.  She had been accused falsely, she said, and she wanted the woman who had told a lie about her to be made to own the truth.