________________
XXXVI
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
QUEEN'S CHASTITY
"Do not bring her into my presence. I do not like even to glance at her face." King Nagush said in an agonized voice.
"Kindly permit her to meet you at least once, Oh King !" "But I do not like even to look at her," The King reiterated.
"She has been eager to see you. Kindly allow her to meet you at least once."
The Chief Minister entreated the King thus to permit the queen to meet him once. Nagush was greatly distressed by his bodily agony. He was intensely angry with the queen. His anger flamed like fire in his mind and heart. He harshly refused to permit the queen to meet him; yet out of regard for the Chief Minister, he said.
"If you desire it so much, you may bring her here; but I will keep my eyes closed as long as she is here; and I will not speak to her. I will not even glance at her.” and having said this, he closed his eyes, and lay turning his face to the wall.
The Chief Minister made a sign to Nayana suggesting that she might bring in the queen. Nayana, at once, went out hurriedly and brought in Queen Simhika. Suddenly, the Chief Minister's right eye shook. Unknown to himself a new feeling of enthusiasm and liveliness ran through his veins. In his heart which had been depressed by the despair caused by the failure of the medical treatment given to the King, there arose a new ray of hope.
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