The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.59

v1.c28.59

" On the same day ", continues the same letter, " the King sent a message to Fr. Provincial, to know when he would like to visit him. The Father replied he was expecting an elephant he had left resting a little at Kanchivaram. When the beast reached Vellore the Provincial sent word to the sovereign. The latter despatched his private secretary, who is also a very good friend of the Fathers, with a large retinue to fetch the Fathers. They reached the entrance of the palace in a coach. The King came down to the entrance-lobby to receive Fr. Provincial, as well as to see the elephant, the hound and the other presents. Then he took the Father to the audience-hall and ordered him to sit down next to the royal throne, the grandees of the kingdom standing round. When the Provincial asked for permission to leave, he did not grant it; for to dismiss him on the first meeting would be offensive to the dignity of both." As a matter of fact, Fr. Laerzio prolonged his stay at Vellore some days and was finally dismissed with great honours and tokens of sincere attachment ¹.