[Footnote 32: Red arsenic, used as a cosmetic.] [Footnote 33: Here, as elsewhere, Sansthānaka's mythology is wildly confused. To a Hindu the effect must be ludicrous enough; but the humor is necessarily lost in a translation. It therefore seems hardly worth while to explain his mythological vagaries in detail.] [Footnote 34: A name of Krishna, who is perhaps the most amorous character in Indian story.] [Footnote 35: Cupid.] [Footnote 36: The five deadly sins are: the slaying of a Brahman, the drinking of wine, theft, adultery with the wife of one's teacher, and association with one guilty of these crimes.] [Footnote 37: These are all epithets of the same god.] [Footnote 38: Which look pretty, but do not rain. He doubtless means to suggest that the cloak, belonging to a strange man, is as useless to Vasantasenā as the veil of autumn clouds to the earth.] ACT THE SECOND THE SHAMPOOER[39] WHO GAMBLED [_Enter a maid._] _Maid._ I am sent with a message to my mistress by her mother. I must go in and find my mistress. [_She walks about and looks around her._] There is my mistress. She is painting a picture, and putting her whole heart into it. I must go and speak to her. [_Then appear the love-lorn Vasantasenā, seated, and Madanikā._] _Vasantasenā._ Well, girl, and then-- _Madanikā._ But mistress, you were not speaking of anything. What do you mean? _Vasantasenā._ Why, what did I say? _Madanikā._ You said, "and then"-- _Vasantasenā._ [_Puckering her brows._] Oh, yes. So I did. _Maid._ [_Approaching._] Mistress, your mother sends word that you should bathe and then offer worship to the gods. _Vasantasenā._ You may tell my mother that I shall not take the ceremonial bath to-day. A Brahman must offer worship in my place. _Maid._ Yes, mistress. [_Exit._ _Madanikā._ My dear mistress, it is love, not naughtiness, that asks the question--but what does this mean? _Vasantasenā._ Tell me, Madanikā. How do I seem to you? _Madanikā._ My mistress is so absent-minded that I know her heart is filled with longing for somebody. _Vasantasenā._ Well guessed. My Madanikā is quick to fathom another's heart. _Madanikā._ I am very, very glad. Yes, Kāma is indeed mighty, and his great festival is welcome when one is young. But tell me, mistress, is it a king, or a king's favorite, whom you worship? [28.1. S. _Vasantasenā._ Girl, I wish to love, not to worship. _Madanikā._ Is it a Brahman that excites your passion, some youth distinguished for very particular learning? _Vasantasenā._ A Brahman I should have to reverence. _Madanikā._ Or is it some young merchant, grown enormously wealthy from visiting many cities? _Vasantasenā._ A merchant, girl, must go to other countries and leave you behind, no matter how much you love him. And the separation makes you very sad. _Madanikā._ It isn't a king, nor a favorite, nor a Brahman, nor a merchant. Who is it then that the princess loves?