Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/34

18 sion, but as soon as he had gone the King repented him of sending him out alone into a night so dark that a hole might be pierced in it with a needle, so he took his scimitar, and followed his guard beyond the city gates.

Vira-vara had not gone far when he almost stumbled over a woman who was weeping bitterly. By the dim light of a torch, which he had hurriedly picked up after leaving the King's presence, he could see that she was a very beautiful and splendidly dressed lady.

"Why do you thus lament?" asked he.

"I am the Fortune of the King Sudraka," answered she. "For a long while I lived happily in the shadow of his arm, but on the third day he will die, and therefore do I shed these bitter tears."

"Can anything be done, dear lady, that will prolong your stay here?" asked the Rajpoot.

"Only one thing," replied the Spirit, "but that I do not like to tell you."

"Tell me what it is, and I swear to do it, out of loyalty to my kind Master," said the faithful guard.