After he had left me, I continued my journey; and arriving late and very tired at Sravasti, I lay down to sleep in an arbour in one part of the park outside the city.  There I slept soundly till awakened by the noise of the swans and other birds in a lake not far off.

Soon after I had risen, I heard the tinkling of anklets, and saw a young lady walking towards me, with a painted canvas in her hand.  When she came near, she looked first at me, and then at the painting.  This she did several times, and was evidently surprised and pleased at the comparison On casting an eye on the picture, I also was much surprised, finding it to be a portrait of myself.

Feeling sure that the likeness could not be accidental, and that there must be some reason for her making the comparison and seeming so pleased at the result, I would not at first make any inquiry of her, but merely said:  “This is a public place; we need not stand on ceremony; pray sit down with me.”  This she did; and we got into conversation about the news of the town.

At last she said to me:  “You seem to be quite a stranger here, and look as if you were travel-tired.  Will you be offended if I ask you to come and rest at my house?”

“Offended!” I answered.  “You do me a very great favour; I shall be most delighted to accept your invitation.”  Upon this, she rose, and I followed her to her house, where I was most kindly entertained.  When I was refreshed with bathing and food, she said to me:  “You have been travelling about in various countries.  Have you, in your travels, met with any very extraordinary adventure?”

On hearing this question, I thought:  “I have now good ground for hope.  The picture represents that very room which I saw, with its lofty ceiling and white canopies—­even the bed where the princess was lying.  Instigated by love, she has doubtless painted my portrait from recollection; and, in the hope that I may be discovered through the likeness, has entrusted it to this lady who has now invited me to her house.  She evidently thinks that I am the person; but hesitates to put a direct question to me.  If I am right, I will soon remove her doubt.”

I asked her, therefore:  “Will you allow me to examine that picture?” She put it into my hand; and I drew on it the princess lying as I had seen her; and giving it back, said:  “One night, while sleeping in a forest, I had a very wonderful dream.  I found myself lying in just such a room as that which is represented in this painting; and saw there a very beautiful young lady, such as I have painted here; could that have been anything more than a dream?”

When she heard this, her face lighted up, and she answered:  “That was no dream, but a reality; and you are indeed the person I was looking for.”  Then she told me the whole story; how the princess had seen and fallen in love with me; and how she had painted that picture and given it to her friend, that it might be the means of discovering me; and how delighted she would now be to hear that I was found at last.