How charmingly your friendship is in keeping with the equality of
your ages and appearance!

PRIYAMVADÁ. [_Aside to ANASÚYÁ_.

Who can this person be, whose lively yet dignified manner, and
polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high rank?

ANASÚYÁ.

I, too, my dear, am very curious to know. I will ask him myself.

[_Aloud_]

Your kind words, noble Sir, fill me with confidence, and prompt
me to inquire of what regal family our noble guest is the
ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what
induced a person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the
fatigue of visiting this grove of penance?

[S']AKOONTALÁ. [_Aside_.

Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasúyá is giving utterance to thy
thoughts.

KING. [_Aside_.

How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I
still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus.
[_Aloud_.] I am the person charged by his Majesty, the descendant