chivalrous sovereign of Travancore, the very person in fact of whose image she has become enamoured in her dream. He recommends at the same time Nataraja to be dispatched to Travancore to arrange the match. But Jivaka sets aside this part of his preceptor’s directions and sends at once a communication to his minister seeking his advice on the point, and before leaving the room, interdicts Vani’s marriage with Nataraja, in the way of a reprisal upon true Love found so universally troublesome to parents. (Act I scene 4). The royal communication reaches Kudila just when he is most absorbed in hatching further schemes of self-aggrandisement. He deliberates deeply over the situation and determines to frustrate the proposed alliance with a view to gain the hand of Manonmani and her future throne for his own son Paladeva. (Act I scene 5).

Accordingly, when he meets Jivaka the following morning, he suggests the impropriety of the bride’s party taking the initiative in marriage negotiations and recommends the despatch of an embassy ostensibly for settling certain boundary disputes but really to sound the Prince’s mind with regard to matrimonial matters. The ruse succeeds, and the credulous Pandia swallowing the bait, chooses of all men Paladeva himself as the ambassador for the purpose. (Act II. Scene 1). That very night Paladeva starts on his mission with secret instructions from his father to prick the pride of the Travancore sovereign and to provoke a war if possible, so that not only might the marriage be thwarted, but fresh opportunities might also be presented for securing further ascendency in the state, if not the crown itself. But the messenger spends the night in a house of ill-fame, and Nataraja sees him the next morning, trying to soothe one of the victims of his lust, a poor rustic girl, with the offer of a golden bangle stolen from the Palace. The insight that Nataraja thus obtains into the character of this influential rival for the heart of his own Vani, fills him with indignation. (Act II. Scene 2). Paladeva proceeds to Trivandrum, and there by laying claims to all South Travancore, fulfils his father’s directions to the very letter; and the enraged Purushothama, already troubled by a persistent dream, analagous to Manonmani’s, declares immediate war in consequence. (Act II. Scene 3).

The next day as Kudila is preparing his master’s mind for evil tidings from Travancore, report comes of the result of the embassy;