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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1891.
him if he could read it and explain the meaning of what was written. Atirapa received it, glanced over it, and at once his face changed colour. Checking himself he thus replied :
"I know the meaning of it; but I cannot tell you what I know. Permit me, please, to depart."
As soon as this was said, the master of the rest-house rose up and fell at the pilgrim's feet, and requested him to stay awhile, as his journey was not to be on foot any longer. Atirûpa was astonished.
"Am I dreaming, or is this reality ?" thought he; "what is the meaning of all this? This is the verse that I recited to the princess of Chandragiri on my way here. Is this a trick to find me out ? Am I likely to see her again P"
While he was thus musing, the words, — "The palanqain is ready : will your holiness be pleased to go into it?" fell upon his ears. It was the master of the rest-house who had thus spoken to him.
"What is the meaning of this ? Why shonld a poor pilgrim returning home to his country ride in a palanquin ?" asked Atirpa.
Then the master of the rest house explained to our astonished hero the charity of the princess of Chandragiri, who had raised one thousand and one choultries on the way between Banâras and her town, with instructions to feed and entertain every pilgrim, to give to every pilgrim the manuscript he had just seen, to request him to explain the meaning, and to conduct to her that person, who could read it and explain its meaning. He further told the still astonished Atirúpa that several months had passed, that many had received and returned the manuscript unread, and that the only person, who had given him any hope, was the present pilgrim.
Everything was now plain to our hero : the verse was his own which he had repeated to his wife on the night he saw her: her name was connected with the charities. What more proof could he need? He was now perfectly sure that all these contrivances were his wife's plans to bring him back to her. He thanked God for his good fortune, and was sure that he was to be taken back to his wife's country. But what could have become of the minister's son ? He did not like to enquire about this, lest it should lead him into danger.
Meanwhile, in accordance with instructions received, the messengers flew to the princess with the news that, at last, a pilgrim was coming in a palanquin, who was able to expound the writing on the palm-leaf. The princess's joy knew no bounds. Maheśa's boon has been granted after all, and yet she was not quite sure till she actually saw her lord. She sent for her father, aud he, ever ready to obey his virtuous daughter, came at once.
"Most loving father. I have attained the object of my penance, and we have to wait only for a couple of days more. There is a pilgrin coming here from Banaras the day after to-morrow, who must be entertained in our palace and perform his pújá in our great hall, and after receiving blessings from his holy hands I shall be rejoined to my husband. Let all the yreat men of the city attend the pújá to bless me on the occasion. Let my husband, too, be invited. But you must not give notice of this, until we see the pilgrim actually settled in his pújá in our palace. There will still be ample time. Meanwhile you should yourself go on in advance and welcome the pilgrim, and conduct him to our hall. He is no ordinary personage. I will **xplain everything to you after his arrival."
Thus spoke the danghter, and her father had no other course but to obey. She was l.is only laughter, and had brought him the happiest of news. So he hastened out, and proceedou to welcome the approaching pilgrim. The palanquin was placed on the ground as soon as the bearers saw the king, and notice was given to the rider inside that the lord of Chandragiri was approaching. The old king himself, too, when he was informed that the palau
