Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king! on one occasion, a jewelled bedstead of pure gold with curtains was laid out in a golden palace, studded with gems. On the bedstead a bedding, white as foam, and decorated with flowers was spread. Pillows for the cheek, and the head of the bed exhaled perfumes. Vessels filled with camphor, rosewater, sandal and other perfumes were arranged on all sides of the bed. Pictures of all kinds were drawn on the walls; flowers, fruits, sweetmeats and confectionary were placed here and there in the recesses: and every thing, that could contribute to pleasure, was provided. Wearing a petticoat, and full loose robe of great splendour, on which were sewn real pearls; and a shining boddice, glittering cloth for the body, and a brilliant cloak, ornamented from head to foot; with red horizontal lines drawn across the forehead, a ring for the nose of large pearls, ornaments for the head, ear-rings, lines on the top of the head, where the hair is parted, marks between the eyebrows, ornaments for the ears, and forehead, a necklace composed of circular pieces of gold, a string of gold beads and coral, an ornament for the breast and decked out with numerous other jewels and ornaments,--bright as the moon,--of the colour of chumpa, with eyes like those of a deer, a voice like the kokila’s (the Indian cuckoo) the gait of an elephant and waist of a lion, Shree Rookmunee Jee was reclining; and also Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, of the colour of the clouds, a countenance like the moon, lotus eyes, wearing a peacock crown, a garland of various flowers reaching to the feet, dressed in yellow silk, with a scarf of the same colour, the sea of beauty, the light of the three worlds. They were enjoying the pleasures of mutual love, when suddenly Shree Krishnù said to Rookmunee, “O beautiful Rookmunee! I wish to say something to you, to which you must give me an answer; you are possessed of great beauty, and many excellent qualities of mind, and the daughter of Raja Bheekmuk; why did you reject Raja Sissoopal of Chunderee who was very mighty and renowned; in whose family kingly power has descended for seven generations, and from dread of whom I fled, and abandoning Muttra took up my abode in the sea, and to whom your mother, father and brother wished you to be married, and he himself came with a marriage procession; and having refused to marry him sent for me through a brahmin, thereby sacrificing all respect for the honour of your family, disregarding the opinion of the world and laying aside all fear of your parents and your brother? I am not worthy of you, nor equal to you in accomplishments, I am not a Raja, nor have I beauty, or mental superiority. Some beggars talked of my renown, whose praises of me you heard, and treasured up in your mind. A Raja came to marry you, accompanied by his army; you then sent an invitation to me. On my arrival, there was a fierce battle: and how was my honour saved? I