and
there was a table, and somewhat upon it covered with a gold cloth; and
an old veiled woman lifted the gold, and the head of the Princess lay
there with the lashes like night upon her cheek, and between her lips
was a little scroll, saying this: 'I have chosen my Lover and my Lord,
and he is mightiest, for he is Death.'--So the Kings went silently away.
And there was Peace."

The music of her voice ceased, and the Rana clasped her closer.

"This I cannot do. Better die together. Let us take counsel with the
ancient Brahman, thy guru [teacher], for he is very wise."

She clapped her hands, and the maidens returned, and, bowing, brought
the venerable Prabhu Narayan into the Presence, and again those roses
retired.

Respectful salutation was then offered by the King and the Queen to that
saint, hoary with wisdom--he who had seen her grow into the loveliness
of the sea-born Shri, yet had never seen that loveliness; for he had
never raised his eyes above the chooris about her ankles. To him the
King related his anxieties; and he sat rapt in musing, and the two
waited in dutiful silence until long minutes had fallen away; and at the
last he lifted his head, weighted with wisdom, and spoke.

"O King, Descendant of Rama! this outrage cannot be. Yet, knowing the
strength and desire of this obscene one and the weakness of our power,
it is plain that only with cunning can cunning be met. Hear, therefore,
the history of the Fox and the Drum.

"A certain Fox searched for food in the jungle, and so doing beheld
a tree on which hung a drum; and when the boughs knocked upon the
parchment, it sounded aloud. Considering, he believed that so round a
form and so great a voice must portend much good feeding. Neglecting on
this account a fowl that fed near by, he ascended to the drum. The drum
being rent was but air and parchment, and meanwhile the fowl fled away.
And from the eye of folly he shed the tear of disappointment, having
bartered the substance for the shadow. So must we act with this budmash
[scoundrel]. First, receiving his oath that he will depart without
violence, hid him hither to a great feast, and say that he shall behold
the face of the Queen in a mirror. Provide that some fair woman of
the city show her face, and then let him depart in peace, showing him
friendship. He shall not know he hath not seen the beauty he would
befoul."

After consultation, no better way could be found; but the heart of the
great Lady