Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/179

 him. and gave him her blessing, and bestowed on him a jewel, and he received the gem politely and sat down; then she said to him, " This is an excellent jewel of which I have often seen the properties tested. By holding it in your hand you can render ineffectual the best weapon of your enemy. And I give it you out of regard for your excellence, for it is not of so much use to me, prince, as it is to you." When she said this, the prince began to speak to her, but she forbade him, on the ground that she had vowed an exclusive devotion to the life of a beggar, and departed thence. Then she laid aside the dress of a female ascetic, and assumed a downcast expression of face, and went into the presence of Hansávalí, and when questioned by her, made the following false statement; " I must out of love for you reveal the king's secret, although it is a matter which ought to be concealed. When I went from here to the camp of the prince dressed as a female ascetic, a man came up to me of his own accord and said in a low voice, ' Reverend madam, do you know the rites for exorcising demons?' When I heard that, I said to him, looking upon him as the warder, ' I know them very well. This is a trilling matter for me.' Then I was immediately introduced into the presence of that prince Kamalákara. And I saw him crouching, possessed by a demon, having horns on his head, and his attendants were trying to restrain him; besides he had herbs and a talismanic jewel on him. I performed certain pretended ceremonies to avert evil, and went out immediately, saying, ' To-morrow I will come and take away his affliction.' Accordingly, being exceedingly grieved with the sight of such an unexpected calamity, I have come here to tell you ; it is for you to decide what you will do next."

When the unsuspecting Hansávalí heard this trumped-up tale of her maid's, terrible as a thunderstroke, she was distracted and said to her, " Out on the spite of destiny ! she brings trouble on her handiwork, even when full of excellences; indeed the spot on the moon is a disgrace to him who created it. As for this prince, I chose him as my husband, but I cannot see him, so it is best for me to die or to retire into some forest. So tell me what I had better do in this matter." When the guileless lady said this, the treacherous Kanakamanjarí answered, " Have some maid of yours, dressed in your clothes, married to him, and we will escape to some place of refuge ; for the people of the palace will be all in a state of excitement at that time." When the princess heard that, she said to her wicked confidante, " Then do you put on my clothes, and marry that prince; who else is as faithful to me as you? The wicked Kanakamanjarí answered, " Cheer up, I will manage to effect this by a stratagem, happen to me what may. But when the time comes, you must do us I direct you."