_Vasantasenā._ [_To herself._] What a delightfully clever hint! But it would hardly be proper to spend the night, considering how I came hither. Well, I will at least say this much. [_Aloud._] If I am to receive thus much of your favor, sir, I should be glad to leave these jewels in your house. It was for the sake of the jewels that those scoundrels pursued me. P. 45.14] _Chārudatta._ This house is not worthy of the trust. _Vasantasenā._ You mistake, sir! It is to men that treasures are entrusted, not to houses. _Chārudatta._ Maitreya, will you receive the jewels? _Vasantasenā._ I am much indebted to you. [_She hands him the jewels._] _Maitreya._ [_Receiving them._] Heaven bless you, madam. _Chārudatta._ Fool! They are only entrusted to us. _Maitreya._ [_Aside._] Then the thieves may take them, for all I care. _Chārudatta._ In a very short time-- _Maitreya._ What she has entrusted to us, belongs to us. _Chārudatta._ I shall restore them. _Vasantasenā._ I should be grateful, sir, if this gentleman would accompany me home. _Chārudatta._ Maitreya, pray accompany our guest. _Maitreya._ She walks as gracefully as a female swan, and you are the gay flamingo to accompany her. But I am only a poor Brahman, and wherever I go, the people will fall upon me just as dogs will snap at a victim dragged to the cross-roads. _Chārudatta._ Very well. I will accompany her myself. Let the torches be lighted, to ensure our safety on the highway. _Maitreya._ Vardhamānaka, light the torches. _Vardhamānaka._ [_Aside to Maitreya._] What! light torches without oil? _Maitreya._ [_Aside to Chārudatta._] These torches of ours are like courtezans who despise their poor lovers. They won't light up unless you feed them. [25.23. S. _Chārudatta._ Enough, Maitreya! We need no torches. See, we have a lamp upon the king's highway. Attended by her starry servants all, And pale to see as a loving maiden's cheeks, Rises before our eyes the moon's bright ball, Whose pure beams on the high-piled darkness fall Like streaming milk that dried-up marshes seeks. 57 [_His voice betraying his passion._] Mistress Vasantasenā, we have reached your home. Pray enter. [_Vasantasenā gazes ardently at him, then exit._] Comrade, Vasantasenā is gone. Come, let us go home. All creatures from the highway take their flight; The watchmen pace their rounds before our sight; To forestall treachery, is just and right, For many sins find shelter in the night. 58 [_He walks about._] And you shall guard this golden casket by night, and Vardhamānaka by day. _Maitreya._ Very well. [_Exeunt ambo._ FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 30: During the mating season, a fragrant liquor exudes from the forehead of the elephant. Of this liquor bees are very fond.] [Footnote 31: The most striking peculiarity of Sansthānaka's dialect--his substitution of _sh_ for _s_--I have tried to imitate in the translation.]