ACT II.—­The scene is laid in the concert-hall of the palace.  The nun determines that Ganadasa shall present his pupil first.  Malavika is thereupon introduced, dances, and sings a song which pretty plainly indicates her own love for the king.  He is in turn quite ravished, finding her far more beautiful even than the picture.  The clown manages to detain her some little time by starting a discussion as to her art, and when she is finally permitted to depart, both she and the king are deeply in love.  The court poet announces the noon hour, and the exhibition of the other dancing-master is postponed.

ACT III.—­The scene is laid in the palace garden.  From the conversation of two maids it appears that a favourite ashoka-tree is late in blossoming.  This kind of tree, so the belief runs, can be induced to put forth blossoms if touched by the foot of a beautiful woman in splendid garments.

When the girls depart, the king enters with the clown, his confidant.  The clown, after listening to the king’s lovelorn confidences, reminds him that he has agreed to meet his young Queen Iravati in the garden, and swing with her.  But before the queen’s arrival, Malavika enters, sent thither by Dharini to touch the ashoka-tree with her foot, and thus encourage it to blossom.  The king and the clown hide in a thicket, to feast their eyes upon her.  Presently the maid Bakulavalika appears, to adorn Malavika for the ceremony, and engages her in conversation about the king.  But now a third pair enter, the young Queen Iravati, somewhat flushed with wine, and her maid Nipunika.  They also conceal themselves to spy upon the young girls.  Thus there are three groups upon the stage:  the two girls believe themselves to be alone; the king and the clown are aware of the two girls, as are also the queen and her maid; but neither of these two pairs knows of the presence of the other.  This situation gives rise to very entertaining dialogue, which changes its character when the king starts forward to express his love for Malavika.  Another sudden change is brought about when Iravati, mad with jealousy, joins the group, sends the two girls away, and berates the king.  He excuses himself as earnestly as a man may when caught in such a predicament, but cannot appease the young queen, who leaves him with words of bitter jealousy.

ACT IV.—­The clown informs the king that Queen Dharini has locked Malavika and her friend in the cellar, and has given orders to the doorkeeper that they are to be released only upon presentation of her own signet-ring, engraved with the figure of a serpent.  But he declares that he has devised a plan to set them free.  He bids the king wait upon Queen Dharini, and presently rushes into their presence, showing his thumb marked with two scratches, and declaring that he has been bitten by a cobra.  Imploring the king to care for his childless mother, he awakens genuine sympathy in the queen, who readily parts with her serpent-ring, supposed to be efficacious