wered in a stern voice, "immediately to the palace of the
King of Kalinga, and bring here his daughter Kanakalekha." This they
did in an incredibly short time. As soon as she was brought he seized
her by the hair, and disregarding her tears and entreaties and screams
for help, was about to cut off her head with a sword.

Meanwhile I had cautiously crept nearer, and perceiving the danger of
the princess, I made a sudden rush at him, snatched the sword from his
hand and cut off his head.

Seeing this, the two Rakshas approached me, and showing great delight
at the death of their cruel master, said to me: "That wicked man has
for a long time had power over us; we have continually been compelled
to go on his vile errands, and have had no rest night or day. You have
done a truly good deed in killing him; your valour has freed us from
this slavery; he is gone to the kingdom of Yama, where he will receive
the reward of his evil deeds, and we are ready to serve you; say only
what is to be done."

I thanked them for their grateful offer, and said: "I have only done
what every good man would have done under the circumstances; but if
you are willing to serve me, all that I require of you is to carry
this lady again to her father's house, from which she was so cruelly
taken."

The princess hearing this, stood for a moment irresolute, with her
head bent down, her eyes half closed, her eyebrows quivering, her
bosom agitated by hurried breathing and wetted by tears of joy,
restlessly moving one foot, as if scratching the ground, and betraying
the struggle between bashfulness and love by alternate blushes and
paleness. Then, in a low sweet gentle voice, she uttered these words:
"O gracious sir, why do you, having just delivered me from a terrible
death, now overwhelm me in a sea of love whose waves are the
agitations of anxiety driven by the wind of passion? My life, saved by
you, is entirely at your disposal. Take pity on me; regard me as your
own. Let me be your servant, your slave; I would endure anything
rather than separation from you. Come with me to my father's palace;
you need not fear discovery; all my friends and attendants are
faithful and devoted to me; they will carefully keep the secret."

Pierced to the heart by the arrows of Kama, tied and bound by her
looks and words as if with chains of iron, I had no power to refuse,
and turning to the two Rakshas, I said: "I have no choice here.
Whatever this fair lady command