continues
after his wealth has vanished.]

[Footnote 45: The following scene satirises the Hindu love of system and
classification.]

[Footnote 46: The patron saint of thieves.]

[Footnote 47: An epithet of Skanda.]

[Footnote 48: The sacrificial cord, which passes over the left shoulder
and under the right arm, is worn constantly by members of the three
upper castes.]

[Footnote 49: Sacred creatures.]

ACT THE FOURTH

MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA

[_Enter a maid._]

_Maid._

I am entrusted with a message for my mistress by her mother.
Here is my mistress. She is gazing at a picture and is talking
with Madanika. I will go to her. [_She walks about. Then enter
Vasantasena as described, and Madanika._]

_Vasantasena._ Madanika girl, is this portrait really like Charudatta?

_Madanika._ Very like.

_Vasantasena._ How do you know?

_Madanika._ Because my mistress' eyes are fastened so lovingly
upon it.

_Vasantasena._ Madanika girl, do you say this because courtezan
courtesy demands it?

_Madanika._ But mistress, is the courtesy of a girl who lives in a
courtezan's house, necessarily false?

_Vasantasena._ Girl, courtezans meet so many kinds of men that
they do learn a false courtesy.

_Madanika._ But when the eyes of my mistress find such delight in
a thing, and her heart too, what need is there to ask the reason?

_Vasantasena._ But I should not like to have my friends laugh at me.

_Madanika._ You need not be afraid. Women understand women.

_Maid._ [_Approaching._] Mistress, your mother sends word that a
covered cart is waiting at the side-door, and that you are to take
a drive.

_Vasantasena._ Tell me, is it Charudatta who invites me?

_Maid._ Mistress, the man who sent ornaments worth ten thousand
gold-pieces with the cart--

[58.6. S.

_Vasantasena._ Is who?

_Maid._ Is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthanaka.

_Vasantasena._ [_Indignantly._] Go! and never come again on such
an errand.

_Maid._ Do not be angry, mistress. I was only sent with the message.

_Vasantasena._ But it is the message which makes me angry.

_Maid._ But what shall I tell your mother?

_Vasantasena._ Tell my mother never to send me another such
message, unless she wishes to kill me.

_Maid._ As you will. [_Exit._] [_<Enter Sharvilaka._]

_Sharv._

Blame for my sin I laid upon the night;
I conquered sleep and watchmen of the king;
But darkness wanes, and in the sun's clear l