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P. 442-459.]
CONTENTS.
friend Sulooana, a young Kinnara, who livod on mount Ratnagiri in the same island. So they went there and stayed with Sulocana in his palace for some days. On parting Hemakuņdala obtained from his friend some precious stones which he intended to present to Dharaņa. He then brought the latter to Dovapura, and after having given him the precious stones bade him stay outside the town until Lakşmi should arrive.-Dharana once entered the town and became acquainted with an old merchant, .named Toppa; he narrated him his whole life and requested him to take care of his precious stones. 452, 3.-Now when Suvadana had seen Dharaṇa carried off by the demon, he thought that he had been killed, and desiring to get possession of all his gold, he made love to Laksmi, who readily yielded to his entreaties ; they passed for husband and wife. When they had landed at. Devapura, Suvadana went to see the king . and won his favour by a magnificent present. 453, 4.
On hearing that a ship from China had arrived, Dharana went to see it and was delighted to meet Lakşmi and Suvadana. They invited him to stay with them for the night and entertained whim with a meal and liquor. When he was fast asleep, they strangled him and left him for doad on the beach. But the sea-breeze revived hith. He now became aware that Lakşmi had done the deed. While he was merged in reflections on her dreachery, he was seen by the apprentices of Toppa who having waited for him in vain had sent them in quest of him. They conducted him to the merchant's house. Toppa, remarking Iris dejection, insisted on learning itu cause, and when Dharana had, at last, related Lakymi's and Suvadana's attempt at strangling him, he informod tho king of it. Suvadana was summoned and examined by the king, but resolutely denied the charge. Then Dharana and Lakym! were sent for. She as well as Suvadana denied ever having seen Dharaṇa, who reluctantly adnatted that Lakşmi had been his wife. Suvadana was then examined about the gold. ingots, and his statements about their number and weight proy. od correct. The king, therefore, was at a loss how to decide the case. Then Dharana declared that he would cede all the gold to Suvadana, upon which Toppa offered to undergo an ordeal
