--If, then, thou really believest me to be the wife of
another, and thy present conduct proceeds from some cloud that obscures
thy recollection, I will easily convince thee by this token.
KING.--An excellent idea!
SAKOONTALA [_feeling for the ring_].--Alas! alas! woe is me! There is no
ring on my finger!
[_Looks with anguish at Gautami_.
GAUTAMI.--The ring must have slipped off when thou wast in the act of
offering homage to the holy water of Sachi's sacred pool, near
Sakravatara.
KING [_smiling_].--People may well talk of the readiness of woman's
invention! Here is an instance of it.
SAKOONTALA.--Say, rather, of the omnipotence of fate. I will mention
another circumstance, which may yet convince thee.
KING.--By all means let me hear it at once.
SAKOONTALA.--One day, while we were seated in a jasmine bower, thou
didst pour into the hollow of thine hand some water, sprinkled by a
recent shower in the cup of a lotus blossom--
KING.--I am listening; proceed.
SAKOONTALA.--At that instant, my adopted child, the little fawn, with
soft, long eyes, came running towards us.
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