After the princesses’ chariot disappeared from sight, the astrologer led Vandiyathevan into his house. Seating himself upon his customary dais, he glanced all around and bade the young man to sit as well. He studied Vandiyathevan up and down.

“Young man! Who are you? Where have you come from?” he asked. Vandiyathevan laughed.

“What’s so funny, my boy?”

“Nothing. It’s just that such a renowned astrologer as yourself is asking me questions. Can’t you find out who I am, and why I have come to you, by looking into your astrology?”

“Oh-ho! Is that so? I can, of course. But I was just wondering—if I read my own fortune, who will pay me my fee?”

Vandiyathevan smiled and then asked, “Astrologer! The people who just came here and left—who are they?”

“Oh! Them? I know whom you are asking about. I know, young man, I know! When you dragged my disciple inside, they were here, weren’t they? You’re asking about them, aren’t you? The ones who climbed into the chariot and drove off, raising a cloud of dust behind them—those are the ones, right?” said the Kudanthai astrologer, circling around the question.

“Yes, yes! I am asking about them…”

“Listen well. Who said you shouldn’t ask? Both of them are women!”

“That much I already figured out, astrologer! I am not blind. I can tell the difference between men and women. Even if a man were disguised as a woman, I would know.”

“Then what are you asking for?..”

“If they are women, who are they, and of what type…”

“Oh-ho! Is that what you want to know? Among women, there are four types: Padmini, Chithini, Gandharvi, and Vidyadhari. It seems you have some training in the science of physiognomy. Of those four types, these two belong to the Padmini and Gandharvi types…” “Those who are united.”

“Heavens!…”

“Why, my friend?”

“When I call upon God, you ask ‘Why?’”

“What’s so strange in that? Haven’t you heard that God is omnipresent? It seems you haven’t had much company with the wise! The God who dwells within me is the same as the one within you. The God who resides within that disciple of mine whom you dragged in here is also the same…”

“Enough, enough, please stop.”

“It was God who made me speak all this while; now it is God who tells me to stop!”

“Jyotidar! Just now, those women who left—who are they, from which town, what clan, what names? If you answer directly without evasion…”

“If I do, what will you give me in return, my friend?”

“I will offer you my salutations.”

“Keep your salutations to yourself. If you are willing to give me a gold offering, then speak!”

“If I give you gold, will you surely tell me?”

“I will tell you—if it is something I am allowed to tell! Listen, young man. Many people come and go at the astrologer’s house. One must not speak of one person to another. I will not tell