328. 364 CHAPTER VI

364 CHAPTER VI

to the charge of one of her attendants, who is no other than Susangatā, who, unfortunately for the queen, but fortunate- ly for Sagarika, is pledged to bring about the union. Thus, all the characters of the drama are arranged in two opposite groups and the struggle between the parties begins. The queen and her attendants, Kancanamāla and Madanika, form one party, the opposition, and Sāgarikā, the king, his fool and Susangata the other. The king is lying love -sick. And Sāgarika, as her friends know very well, is finding it hard to live. The queen, as has already been stated, has taken all the possible precautions to prevent the meeting of the king and Sagarika, by committing her, but unfortunately for herself, to the charge of Susangata. The fool, however, in consultation with the latter, conspires to bring about the union. It is arranged that Sāgarika will be disguised with the queen's dress, presented to Susangata as a mark of favour, and Susangatā will disguise herself as Kancanamālā, the queen's favourite attendant, and both will be taken to the king by the fool. Thus the cause of one party advances. But the other party is not entirely idle. Kāncanamālā discovers the plot and informs the queen of it. It is agreed between them that they would anticipate Sagarikā. Accordingly, the queen and Kāncanamāla come to the appointed place a little earlier than Sagarika and her friend in disguise. The fool, not knowing that the plot has been discovered and that the queen has anticipated Sāgarikā, takes them to the king. The king, mistaking the queen for Sagarika, congratulates her on the supposed successful disguise and begins the profession of his love. This exasperates the queen. She reveals her identity and in anger leaves the king, inspite of the latter's efforts at reconciliation. Thus, the cause of Sagarikā gets a reverse.