The city was full of such talk as this, and the people awaited with impatience the night appointed for the working of the miracle. When the time arrived a great heap was made in a part of the garden where four roads met, not far from the summer-house, with large quantities of sandal-wood, lignaloes, and other sweet-smelling woods, camphor, silk dresses, sesamum, saffron, and various spices; and several animals, duly slaughtered by the priests, were laid upon it; and the fire having been lighted, every one withdrew except the king and queen. She then said to him: "You know how faithless you have been to me, and with this handsome body you will be a much greater attraction to other women. I know the fickleness of your disposition. Can you expect that I will confer on you this beauty for the sake of my rivals?" Then he threw himself at her feet, and said "O my darling, forgive my transgressions. I swear by everything solemn that in future I will keep to you only, and not even think of any other woman." After these and many other protestations, she appeared to be satisfied, and said: "Now withdraw to that clump of trees, and stay there till I ring the bell; then you may come again to the fire and see the wonderful change in me." Meanwhile, under cover of the thick smoke arising from the burning of all those substances, I had climbed the wall as before, and was standing in the summer-house when the queen came in. She said: "Everything is ready. I regard myself now as entirely yours; nothing shall part us any more;" and, throwing her arms round my neck, she kissed me again and again. Saying to her, "Stay here concealed while I finish the work," I quitted her, went to the place of sacrifice, and rang a bell hanging on a neighbouring tree; and the sound summoned the king, like a messenger of death. He found me standing by the fire, throwing on it more sandal-wood, lignaloes, and other precious things; and as he stood gazing in fear and astonishment, and hardly believing his eyes, I said to him: "Remember what you have promised, and now swear to me again, taking this sacred fire as a witness, that you will renounce all other women, and keep to me only." He answered: "O queen, there is no deceit in me. I will do all that I have promised," and he repeated his former oaths. But as if not satisfied with this, I said: "I must have some other proof of your sincerity. Tell me some of your state secrets." Then he told me: "My father's brother, Prahâravarma, has been for a long time in prison; with the consent of my ministers, I intend to poison him, and give out that he has died of old age and infirmities. "I am preparing an army, to be commanded by my brother, for the invasion of Pundra without any declaration of war. "There is a merchant here possessed of a diamond of immense value. I 'am contriving a plan by which I shall get it from him at a tenth of its worth.