The ocean of story, being C.H. Tawney's translation of Somadeva's ...

secret :
THE OTHER SUITOR 5
'
l
Listen, noble sir, and lay up in your heart what
I am going to tell you. Ever since my darling Madiravati
beheld you there in your teacher's house she has no appetite
for her food, she does not adorn herself, she takes no pleasure
in music, she does not play with her parrots and other pets ;
she finds that fanning with plantain leaves, and moist anoint-
ings with sandalwood ointment, 2 and the rays of the moon,
though cool as snow, torture her with heat ;
and every day
she grows perceptibly thinner, like the streak of the moon
in the black fortnight, and the only thing that seems to give
her any relief is conversation about you. This is what my
daughter told me, who knows all that she does, who attends
her like a shadow, and never leaves her side. Moreover, I
drew Madiravati herself into a confidential conversation and
questioned her, and she confessed to me that her affections
were fixed on you. So now, auspicious sir, if you wish her life
to be saved, take steps to have her wishes fulfilled.' This
nectarous speech of hers delighted me, and I said :
c
That
altogether depends on you ; I am completely at your disposal.'
When she heard this she returned delighted, and I, relying
on her, conceived hopes, and went home with my mind at
ease.
"
The next day an influential young Kshatriya came
from Ujjayini and asked Madiravati's father for her hand.
And her father promised to give him his daughter ; and I
heard that news, terrible to my ears, from her attendants.
Then I was for a long time amazed, as if fallen from heaven,
as if struck with a thunderbolt, as if possessed by a demon.
'
But I recovered, and said to : myself
What is the use of
bewilderment now ? I will wait and see the end. It is the
self-possessed man that gains his desire.'
" Buoyed up by such hopes I passed some days, and my
beloved one's companions came to me and supported me by
telling me what she said. But at last Madiravati was informed
that the auspicious moment had been fixed, and the
day of her marriage arrived, celebrated with great rejoicings.
So she was shut up in her father's house, and prevented from
1 MSS. Nos. 1882 and 2166 give cha tat for tatha.
2 See Vol. VII, pp.
105-107. n.m.p.