Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/685

| is | VI. ] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. 645 her royal parents. In great dismay they discus- sed among themselves what was to be done at this crisis. It was settled that the matter should be brought to the notice of the queen; for the disclosure of the circumstances through other sources, which was inevitable, would expose them to the risk of losing their lives, as they would be implicated in a share of the guilt. They would not disclose Sundara’s name but would bring the matter itself to the queen’s notice—a course to which Vidya had reluctantly to give her consent, as there was no other alternative. The queen heard of it; she visited the princess, and after vainly attempting to extort the right infor- mation from her and rebuking her as best as she could, asked the maids to disclose the name of the person who was so bold as to violate the sanctity of the royal zenana ; but they washed their hands clean of all knowledge about any one and main- tained a determined silence, in answer to all en- quires on this point. In a great rage the queen approached the Raja, who was taking his afternoon nap at the time ; the maids in attendance were waiting with chamars and fans—standing silently like painted figures by his bed-side. The queen in a violent paroxysm of anger flew into the royal apartments and the tinkling sound of her xapura awoke the king who was surprised to find her in such a condition. She related the story to the Raja, declaring him to be quite unfit to hold the sceptre since such a thing could happen in his own palace. The police staff was worthless, if they allowed a thief Conceal- meat no longer safe. The exas- perated queen.