132 CKADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
Then again she sat, looking before her into space, as if she neither saw nor heard.
When Ravana at last left the garden, in rage and disgust, he sent back into it the demon-guards, and they encircled the beautiful Sita, tormenting her. And she, finding herself in the midst of them, like a fawn encircled by wolves, burst into tears, and sobbed to herself, with broken words of sorrow and endearment, for the loss of Rama. At this the demon-women drew back somewhat, finding little amusement in their sorrowful prisoner. But though this was the very opportunity that Hanuman had waited for, yet he was afraid to address the Queen suddenly, lest she should be startled and call her guards. To avoid this, therefore, he began to run about, talking to him- self about Rama, in order to attract her attention.
At last his mistress looked up. ^' Oh, dear Brother of the Woods," she said, " do you also know the beloved name ? "
- Madam," answered the monkey very quietly, " I think that you are she whom I was sent to
find. If so, tell me what is your state here."
'* I am Sita," answered the captive, in a low, subdued voice, "daughter of Janneka of Mithila, and wife of the son of Dasaratha. And I am imprisoned here, under sentence of execution. Two moons hence, I am condemned to die."
Then Hanuman hastened to tell her all he
