(He sheds a tear.)

Mishrakeshi.  Fate plays strangely with him.

King.  My friend, how can I endure a grief that has no respite?

  I cannot sleep at night
  And meet her dreaming;
  I cannot see the sketch
  While tears are streaming.

Mishrakeshi.  My friend, you have indeed atoned—­and in her friend’s presence—­for the pain you caused by rejecting dear Shakuntala.

(Enter the maid CHATURIKA.)

Maid.  Your Majesty, I was coming back with the box of paint-brushes——­

King.  Well?

Maid.  I met Queen Vasumati with the maid Pingalika.  And the queen snatched the box from me, saying:  “I will take it to the king myself.”

Clown.  How did you escape?

Maid.  The queen’s dress caught on a vine.  And while her maid was setting her free, I excused myself in a hurry. A voice behind the scenes.  Follow me, your Majesty.

Clown (listening).  Man, the she-tiger of the palace is making a spring on her prey.  She means to make one mouthful of the maid.

King.  My friend, the queen has come because she feels touched in her honour.  You had better take care of this picture.

Clown.  “And yourself,” you might add. (He takes the picture and rises.) If you get out of the trap alive, call for me at the Cloud Balcony.  And I will hide the thing there so that nothing but a pigeon could find it. (Exit on the run.)

Mishrakeshi.  Though his heart is given to another, he is courteous to his early flame.  He is a constant friend.

(Enter the portress with a document.)

Portress.  Victory to your Majesty.

King.  Vetravati, did you not meet Queen Vasumati?

Portress.  Yes, your Majesty.  But she turned back when she saw that I carried a document.

King.  The queen knows times and seasons.  She will not interrupt business.

Portress.  Your Majesty, the minister sends word that in the press of various business he has attended to only one citizen’s suit.  This he has reduced to writing for your Majesty’s perusal.

King.  Give me the document. (The portress does so.)

King (reads).  “Be it known to his Majesty.  A seafaring merchant named Dhanavriddhi has been lost in a shipwreck.  He is childless, and his property, amounting to several millions, reverts to the crown.  Will his Majesty take action?” (Sadly.) It is dreadful to be childless.  Vetravati, he had great riches.  There must be several wives.  Let inquiry be made.  There may be a wife who is with child.

Portress.  We have this moment heard that a merchant’s daughter of Saketa is his wife.  And she is soon to become a mother.

King.  The child shall receive the inheritance.  Go, inform the minister.