KADAMBAR. 385 Balahaka to wait for the arrival of Patralekha and charged him ith a message for Kadambar to be entrusted to Keyfraka who would escort Patralekha. Leaving aisampayana in charge of the camp with orders to follow slowly, he set out for Ujjayin, where his nnexpected arrival caused great joy to alA few days afterwards Meghanada and Patralekha returned. Chandra pfla teek her apart and questioned her closely with regard to her stay in Kadambarr's palace. In the midst of Patralekha's aeount as to how Kadambar disburdened her heart to her and how she (Patralekha) entreated her to allow her to go away and feteh Chandrapida, the tale comes to an abrupt conclusion. The story continued (by Bana's son ). Patralekha earnestly added that her lord Chandrapida would treat Kadambar with more consideration. Day and night Chandrapda was tormented with bhe pain of separation and his perplexity as to how the could leave Ujjayinf, One day while he was walking along the banks of the Sipra, he saw a , broop of horsemen on the opposite bank, the foremost of whom was Keybraka. As soon as he contrived to be alone with Patralekha and Keybraka, he asked Keybraka what mess age he had brought from Kadambar. Keyiraka gave such a //८ harrowing description of Kadambarfs state, that Chandrapfla fainted away. When he came to himself he resolved to return to Kadambar as soon as possible. In the morning the heard that his camp had come as far as Dasapura. He thought of consulting Vaisampayana ; and bade hanada to escort Keydraka and Patralekha as far as Maha sta's hermitage. Patralekha ho sent as an earnest of his own intention to follow and entrusted to her a lowing message for Kadambar. When they had gone, lhandrapua went to his father for permission to go to nmeet Vaisampayana. His father broached the subject of Chandrतीpfla's marriage. When night fell, he set out to meet Vais'ampayana, When he rode into the camp and enquired for Vaisampayana's tent, le got the reply how should Vaisampayana be here?' By the time ho reaelied the centre of the camp, the elhiefs gathered round him, besought him to diamount and under the shade of a tree told him the story of what had befallen Vaisampीyana who they assured him was not dead. When Chandrafda went 33
