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108 son, and talked with him long and quietly regarding his own wishes, the ceremony of the morrow, and the possibilities of his future policy. Reminding him, at last, of the necessity that both Sita and himself should pass the night in prayers and austerity, Dasaratha dismissed him, and Rama sought the presence and blessings of his mother, Kausalya, before returning finally to his own palace. There he was followed almost immediately by the priest of the royal family, with minute instructions for the evening observances, and the hours that remained were spent accordingly.

Now the news of the installation had gone out through all Ayodhya. The streets and thoroughfares were thronged with excited people. Every house was decorated with raised flagstaffs and flying pennons. The terraces and verandahs of the city were filled with groups of watchers. Garlands and incense and great branching lamp-stands had been brought out for the adorning of the roadways. Even frolicsome lads, playing about the city, knew only one theme, and stopped their games to talk eagerly together of the anointing of the prince that would take place on the morrow.

Yet amidst all this joy, the heart of Dasaratha the King was filled with a strange unrest. He could not forget that his dreams of the night before had been ill-starred. And he had a