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 What could I reply? Meeting after three years! I forgot everything.

I caught hold of his neck and wept.

When my speech returned, I asked him, 'How have you come into the inner apartment?'

'Ask Ashmani' said he. 'I entered the palace with her as a water-carrier. Since then I have been hid.'

'What then now?' asked I.

'What?' replied he. 'What you will.'

I thought what I should do; what way to adopt.

My mind led me to the side which had been espoused by my feelings. I was thinking thus when suddenly the door of my room opened, and stood in my front—Maharaja Man Singha.

What need of details? My lord was made a prisoner. The Maharaja expressed his intention of punishing him by law. Perhaps you can guess what it was with me. Crying I fell down at the feet of Urmila; I frankly confessed my indiscretion; I took the burthen of every offence on my shoulders. On meeting father, I fell at his feet also. The Maharaja used to respect him, he reverenced him as his spiritual guide; of course (thought I) he would comply with his request. I exhorted, 'Consider the fate of your elder daughter.' I think father had concerted with the Maharaja; he turned a deaf ear to my entreaties, and angrily said, 'Wretch! you have at once bidden adieu to shame?'

With the view of saving me, Urmila interceded strongly with the Maharaja. He replied,

'I can forgive the thief, if he consent to marry Bimala.'

I becalmed myself, when I understood the intention of the Maharaja. My lord got wroth at the proposal and said,