‘MĀLATĪ AND MĀDHAVA’
35
the world of such a prince among youths. Thus will you fulfil your friend’s last wishes.
Lavangika: May God avert all harm! I cannot bear to hear more of this.
Malati: Friend, dear is Malatl’s life to you, not Malati herself.
Lavangika : How do you mean?
Malati: You ask me to survive this shame. This is now my resolve; I have offended the saviour of my life by becoming another’s ; and I want to atone for it by ceasing to be. Don’t you stand in my way. (Falls at the feet of Lavangika .)
Then Lavangika motioned to Madhava who along with Makaranda stood concealed within the shrine; and he, taking Lavangika’s place gently, went on answering the sad questions which Malati put. At last half-agreeing that she might do as she pleased, he begged for her last embrace. Poor Malati, least suspecting who had replaced Lavangika, rose with tearful eyes and threw herself into Madhava’s arms thanking him for his permission. She thought of giving her friend as a final present the dearest thing in her eyes — the vakula garland which she so much cherished ever since the day it had reached her. As she was trying to transfer it from her neck to that of her friend, she discovered whom she was addressing. Madhava told her that she was too selfish in complaining of her own distress, ignoring his. At this time Kamandaki came in; and, well pleased to find the time so propitious, betrothed Malati to Madhava showering her choicest blessings upon them both.
Kamandaki’s plan compassed more than this betrothal. So she proposed that Makaranda should dress himself like Malati, wearing the clothes and putting on the ornaments presented by the king, to meet Nandana. When Makaranda accordingly appeared in Malatl’s attire before the party, he produced immense merriment. Kamandaki and Lavangika departed immediately with this mock-Malatl, leaving our hero and heroine behind in charge of Avalokita. Makaranda played his new role so cleverly that the wedding with Nandana was celebrated, his identity being suspected by nobody. It was arranged that Malati should be taken to the bridegroom’s residence in the evening.
