ANASUYA.—­In my opinion, he will approve the marriage.

PRIYAMVADA.—­What makes you think so?

ANASUYA.—­From the first, it was always his fixed purpose to bestow the maiden on a husband worthy of her; and since heaven has given her such a husband, his wishes have been realized without any trouble to himself.

PRIYAMVADA [looking at the flower-basket].—­We have gathered flowers enough for the sacred offering, dear Anasuya.

ANASUYA.—­Well, then, let us now gather more, that we may have wherewith to propitiate the guardian-deity of our dear Sakoontala.

PRIYAMVADA.—­By all means. [They continue gathering.

A VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Ho there!  See you not that I am here?

ANASUYA [listening].—­That must be the voice of a guest announcing his arrival.

PRIYAMVADA.—­Surely, Sakoontala is not absent from the cottage. [Aside.] Her heart at least is absent, I fear.

ANASUYA.—­Come along, come along; we have gathered flowers enough.
          [They move away.

THE SAME VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Woe to thee, maiden, for daring
to slight a guest like me! 
    Shall I stand here unwelcomed; even I,
    A very mine of penitential merit,
    Worthy of all respect?  Shalt thou, rash maid,
    Thus set at nought the ever sacred ties
    Of hospitality? and fix thy thoughts
    Upon the cherished object of thy love,
    While I am present?  Thus I curse thee, then—­
    He, even he of whom thou thinkest, he
    Shall think no more of thee; nor in his heart
    Retain thine image.  Vainly shalt thou strive
    To waken his remembrance of the past;
    He shall disown thee, even as the sot,
    Roused from his midnight drunkenness, denies
    The words he uttered in his revellings.

PRIYAMVADA.—­Alas! alas!  I fear a terrible misfortune has occurred.  Sakoontala, from absence of mind, must have offended some guest whom she was bound to treat with respect. [Looking behind the scenes.] Ah! yes; I see, and no less a person than the great sage Durvasas, who is known to be most irascible.  He it is that has just cursed her, and is now retiring with hasty strides, trembling with passion, and looking as if nothing could turn him.  His wrath is like a consuming fire.

ANASUYA.—­Go quickly, dear Priyamvada, throw yourself at his feet, and persuade him to come back, while I prepare a propitiatory offering for him, with water and refreshments.

PRIYAMVADA.—­I will. [Exit.

ANASUYA [advancing hastily a few steps and stumbling].—­Alas! alas! this comes of being in a hurry.  My foot has slipped and my basket of flowers has fallen from my hand.
          [Stays to gather them up.

PRIYAMVADA [reentering].—­Well, dear Anasuya, I have done my best; but what living being could succeed in pacifying such a cross-grained, ill-tempered old fellow?  However, I managed to mollify him a little.