so agitated that she was unable to give an
account of what had happened; the demon had of course disappeared.

Some police were in attendance, suspicious of fraud, but even they did
not imagine two women to be capable of such an act of violence, and
the general opinion was that the story of the demon was founded on
truth, and that the prince well deserved the fate he had met with.
Balachandrika was therefore suffered to leave: I had already escaped
in the first alarm and confusion, had changed my dress, and reached
home in safety.

No further inquiry was made, and no suspicion fell on me; I duly
married my beloved, and as no harm happened to me, the demon was
supposed to have been propitiated.

The day indicated by my wife's father having arrived, I came here,
fully expecting to see you, and now my happiness is complete.

When Rajavahana had heard this story, he again related his own
adventures; after which he took leave of Somadatta, saying, "Come to
me as soon as possible, when you have paid your devotions at Mahakala,
and have taken your wife and her attendants home;" and he then
accompanied Pushpodbhava into the city of Avanti.

There he was hospitably received in the house of his friend, who
introduced him by his real name to Bandhupala, but gave out in the
city that he was a young brahman, worthy of all honour for his
learning and ability; and the prince remained for some time in that
city, treated with great respect and consideration by all who became
acquainted with him.

* * * * *

MARRIAGE OF AVANTISUNDARI.

During the stay of Rajavahana at Avanti, the season of spring arrived,
when the great festival of Kama is celebrated. The trees, breaking
into flower, were filled with the song of birds and the hum of bees,
and their branches were waved by the soft south wind, blowing, loaded
with perfume, from the sandal groves of Malaya. The lakes and pools
were thickly covered with lotus blossoms, among which innumerable
water-birds were sporting, and the feelings of all were influenced by
the charms of the season, and prepared for the worship of the god of
love.

On the day of the festival, the parks and gardens were crowded with
people, some engaged in various sports, some walking about or sitting
under the trees, looking at the players.

Among them was the Princess Avantisundari, who was sitting on a sandy
spot, under a large tree, attended by her women, especially by