Page:Durgesa Nandini.djvu/206

 body came to a stand-still, when Katlu Khan grasped her by the neck; and whirling her body, throw it into the torrent.

"Prince!" said Tilottama, when she had done, her eyes glistening with tears, "Prince! this is no idle dream. Perhaps the flowery chains which I strung for you, have really proved iron chains round my feet—the garland of flowers which I placed round your neck, you have cut off with your sword."

The Prince laughed; and taking out his sword from his side, and laying it at Tilottama's feet, said,

"Tilottama! here I resign my weapon to you. Pray, do you favor me with the garland once more, and I will with these hands, break the sword in twain."

Seeing Tilottama silent, the Prince said,

"Tilottama! I am not jesting."

Tilottama hung down her head in bashfulness.

Seated in another room, Abhiramswami was that evening reading a manuscript book in the light of the pradipa. The Prince came to him, and said in all humility,

"Sir, I have a request. Tilottama is now in a position to bear the fatigue of a journey. Why then should she undergo the privation of remaining in this deserted house? If to-morrow do not happen to be an in-auspicious day, take her to Garmandaran, Sir, I beseech you. And if you have no objection, do you make me the happiest of men, by giving your grand-daughter in marriage to a member of the house of Abnir."

Leaving his book, Abhiramswami started up and warmly embraced the Prince, utterly unconscious that he was, while so engaged, treading the sacred volume under his foot.

When the Prince came to Abhiramswami, guessing something,