reaction of feelings following his previous despair, Jivaka spurns the offer. (Act IV. Scene 3). Facts however cannot be long disguised; and the King comes soon to realize the extent of his defeat and feels all the more exasperated. Kudila now uses all his sophistry to turn the monarch’s rage upon Narayana, at whose doors he lays all the disasters of the day. The mutinous attack upon Paladeva, the prime source of all the confusion, is itself attributed to his jealous instigation, prompted by his not having been made a wing officer; and since the golden bangle found on the person of that soldier bears the Palace mark, it is accepted as affording conclusive evidence of Narayana’s complicity. Arraigned on diverse charges of theft, abetment of murder and disobedience of military orders, faithful Narayana makes no defence and he is forthwith sentenced to be executed. The unjust sentence raises a mutiny in the ranks of the army which is however quelled by an opportune address from Narayana, explaining the circumstances of the situation. (Act IV. Scene 4). But Narayana’s execution is nevertheless delayed by the King being called away to a private consultation with Sundara who having completed his secret way, now visits the King to solicit him to retire through it to his own hermitage and thence to Madura, leaving his new fortress to its inevitable destruction. But Jivaka prefers to die in defence of his town and consents only to send his daughter to the hermitage. The sage then departs promising to return at midnight to take charge of the Princess but without revealing in spite of repeated inquiries, the whereabouts of his secret way. This rouses the suspicion of the foolish King who once more calls in Kudila to help him in the matter. The wicked minister, seeing in the juncture of affairs a golden opportunity to realize his long cherished ambition, approves of Manonmani being sent away, but throws strong hints against the propriety of her going as a maiden to a house of strangers; and he so plays upon the poor King’s fears and affections, that before they part Jivaka resolves to marry his daughter that very night to Paladeva, that she might go to the sage’s retreat not alone but in company with her husband. (Act IV. Scene 5).

But Kudila is still ill at ease with himself. Though a great point in his ambition is secured, the recollection of what took place in the morning with regard to his own son and the mutinous spirit in the army consequent upon his conduct towards Narayana are too