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KAMAGHATA
169
If the monstress comes to know that we have escaped, she will at once pursue us and stop us But this has to be prevented As the monstress comes near us, you brandish the kaner stick so that she would not hold on for long but take to her heels But display no sympathy towards her, or, we shall be undone"
Thus the whole plan was ready and the two started. When at the appropriate hour the monstress came to the palace, neither the princess was there nor her man She realised at once that she had been befooled So she pursued them and soon overtook them But the minister brandished the red stick and the monstress disappeared
The cot descened at the park in the city of Gambhirpur The minister left the princess in the park and himself went to the town to fix up an apartment Just then a prostitute came to the park
As her eyes fell on the princess, she came to her and said, "My daughter! Who are you? Wherefrom have you come? Who is your husband? Why are you alone ?"
When the princess acquainted the woman with all about herself, the woman said at once.
"What a piece of goodluck! You are my own sisterin-law and the minister is my own brother I have sent him home and have come to receive you So you come with me at once"
So the princess went with the woman to her home But her first impression about the place was not good She said,
"Where is my husband ?”
"Don't you worry about a single husband Many husbands will visit you here everyday Live a happy life and enjoy with them."
These words the harlot said jokingly, and the princess now realised the real position she was in.
