MATHAVYA.—­Well, what was your reply?

KING.—­Then I placed the ring on her finger, and thus addressed her—­
    Repeat each day one letter of the name
    Engraven on this gem; ere thou hast reckoned
    The tale of syllables, my minister
    Shall come to lead thee to thy husband’s palace. 
But, hard-hearted man that I was, I forgot to fulfil my promise, owing
to the infatuation that took possession of me.

SANUMATI [aside].—­A pleasant arrangement!  Fate, however, ordained that the appointment should not be kept.

MATHAVYA.—­But how did the ring contrive to pass into the stomach of that carp which the fisherman caught and was cutting up?

KING.—­It must have slipped from my Sakoontala’s hand, and fallen into the stream of the Ganges, while she was offering homage to the water of Sachi’s holy pool.

MATHAVYA.—­Very likely.

SANUMATI [aside].—­Hence it happened, I suppose, that the King, always fearful of committing the least injustice, came to doubt his marriage with my poor Sakoontala.  But why should affection so strong as his stand in need of any token of recognition?

KING.—­Let me now address a few words of reproof to this ring.

MATHAVYA [aside].—­He is going stark mad, I verily believe.

KING.—­Hear me, thou dull and undiscerning bauble! 
    For so it argues thee, that thou couldst leave
    The slender fingers of her hand, to sink
    Beneath the waters.  Yet what marvel is it
    That thou shouldst lack discernment? let me rather
    Heap curses on myself, who, though endowed
    With reason, yet rejected her I loved.

MATHAVYA [aside].—­And so, I suppose, I must stand here to be devoured by hunger, whilst he goes on in this sentimental strain.

KING.—­O forsaken one, unjustly banished from my presence, take pity on thy slave, whose heart is consumed by the fire of remorse, and return to my sight.

Enter Chaturika hurriedly, with a picture in her hand.

CHATURIKA.—­Here is the Queen’s portrait. [Shows the picture.

MATHAVYA.—­Excellent, my dear friend, excellent!  The imitation of nature is perfect, and the attitude of the figures is really charming.  They stand out in such bold relief that the eye is quite deceived.

SANUMATI [aside].—­A most artistic performance!  I admire the King’s skill, and could almost believe that Sakoontala herself was before me.

KING.—­I own ’tis not amiss, though it portrays
    But feebly her angelic loveliness. 
    Aught less than perfect is depicted falsely,
    And fancy must supply the imperfection.

SANUMATI [aside].—­A very just remark from a modest man, whose affection is exaggerated by the keenness of his remorse.

MATHAVYA.—­Tell me—­I see three female figures drawn on the canvas, and all of them beautiful; which of the three is her Majesty, Sakoontala?