acy, to visit the
very place, that, had it only seen it, it would never be induced to
desert again. For Tarawali is exactly a Manasa[15] for such a swan as
thee. And for all answer, I took my lute, and began to pluck at the
strings.

And he stood for a while, drumming on the sill of the window as he
looked out: and then he turned and said: If thou hast no curiosity,
thou hast at least the manners of a king's son. Wouldst thou be so
uncivil as to say no to her invitation, if she sent to thee, to come?
And I said: Why suppose what never can occur? Surely this independent
queen does not go to such a length as to act like an _abhisarika_,[16]
and throw herself of her own accord at the head of every stranger that
may wander through her city? And he laughed, and said: Wouldst thou
actually shut thy door in her face, even so, if she were an
incomparable beauty? Even an _abhisarika_ might be welcome, to anybody
but thyself, who art said to be a hater of all women whatsoever. And I
said: Why should I hate all women, who never think of them at all?

And he looked at me for a long while; and then he said: Who knows?
Thou art so singular in everything that it is just barely possible
that thou art telling me the truth, though it is very hard to believe
it, in the mouth of a youth like thee. And yet, if as thou sayest, thy
heart be really empty, Tarawali could fill it for thee, easily enough.
Aye! even if it were a desert equal to Marusthali in dryness and
extent, a single glance at her would turn it into an ocean, tossing
with agitation, and running over with excess of salt.[17]

And then he went away. And instantly I forgot all about her, absorbed
in my lute and the recollection of my dream.

VI

But next morning, when I awoke, his words all came back to me, and
filled me with dismay. And I sat long musing over them, and saying to
myself: Now after all, it is just possible not only that his words had
a meaning, but even that he was acting as an agent of the Queen, who
may take measures to make me go and see her, whether I will or no:
since she is, as it seems, a musical blue-stocking,[18] ready to
force herself on anybody just to gratify her vanity by claiming
admiration for her musical proficiency, which nobody would acknowledge
unless she were a queen. Out on these queens, that dabble in matters
that they do not understand, and meddle in other people's business!
But now I will steal a march on her by making my escape beti