om his
soldiers, and started for the Kalinga country with the counsellor's son.

When they reached the city of King Ear-lotus, they looked about and
found the house of the man called Bite, and they went to a house near
by to live with an old woman. And the counsellor's son said to the old
woman: "Old woman, do you know anybody named Bite in this city?"

Then the old woman answered him respectfully: "My son, I know him well.
I was his nurse. And I am a servant of his daughter Lily. But I do not
go there now because my dress is stolen. My naughty son is a gambler
and steals my clothes."

Then the counsellor's son was pleased and satisfied her with his own
cloak and other presents. And he said: "Mother, you must do very
secretly what we tell you. Go to Bite's daughter Lily, and tell her
that the prince whom she saw on the bank of the lake is here, and sent
you with a love-message to her."

The old woman was pleased with the gifts and went to Lily at once. And
when she got a chance, she said: "My child, the prince and the
counsellor's son have come to take you. Tell me what to do now." But
the girl scolded her and struck her cheeks with both hands smeared with
camphor.

The old woman was hurt by this treatment, and came home weeping, and
said to the two men: "My sons, see how she left the marks of her
fingers on my face."

And the prince was hopeless and sad, but the very clever counsellor's
son took him aside and said, "My friend, do not be sad. She was only
keeping the secret when she scolded the old woman, and put ten fingers
white with camphor on her face. She meant that you must wait before
seeing her, for the next ten nights are bright with moonlight."

So the counsellor's son comforted the prince, took a little gold
ornament and sold it in the market, and bought a great dinner for the
old woman. So they two took dinner with the old woman. They did this
for ten days, and then the counsellor's son sent her to Lily again, to
find out something more.

And the old woman was eager for dainty food and drink. So to please him
she went to Lily's house, and then came back and said: "My children, I
went there and stayed with her for some time without speaking. But she
spoke herself of my naughtiness in mentioning you, and struck me again
on the chest with three fingers stained red. So I came back in
disgrace."

Then the counsellor's son whispered to the prince: "Don't be alarmed,
my friend. When she left the marks o