_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] A good description by a naughty woman. [_Aloud._] They do, indeed. _Vasantasenā._ Tell me, what is the purpose of your coming? _Maitreya._ Listen, madam. The excellent Chārudatta folds his hands[59] and requests-- _Vasantasenā._ [_Folding her hands._] And commands-- _Maitreya._ He says he imagined that that golden casket was his own and gambled it away. And nobody knows where the gambling-master has gone, for he is employed in the king's business. [74.9. S. _Maid._ Mistress, I congratulate you. The gentleman has turned gambler. _Vasantasenā._ [_Aside._] It was stolen by a thief, and he is so proud that he says he gambled it away. I love him for that. _Maitreya._ He requests that you will therefore be good enough to accept in its place this necklace of pearls. _Vasantasenā._ [_Aside._] Shall I show him the jewels? [_Reflecting._] No, not yet. _Maitreya._ Why don't you take this necklace? _Vasantasenā._ [_Laughs and looks at her friend._] Why should I not take the necklace, Maitreya? [_She takes it and lays it away. Aside._] How is it possible that drops of honey fall from the mango-tree, even after its blossoms are gone? [_Aloud._] Sir, pray tell the worthy gambler Chārudatta in my name that I shall pay him a visit this evening. _Maitreya._ [_Aside._] What else does she expect to get out of a visit to our house? [_Aloud._] Madam, I will tell him--[_Aside_ to have nothing more to do with this courtezan. [_Exit._ _Vasantasenā._ Take these jewels, girl. Let us go and bring cheer to Chārudatta. _Maid._ But mistress, see! An untimely storm is gathering. _Vasant._ The clouds may come, the rain may fall forever, The night may blacken in the sky above; For this I care not, nor I will not waver; My heart is journeying to him I love. 33 Take the necklace, girl, and come quickly. [_Exeunt omnes._ FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 50: A name of Kāma, the god of love.] [Footnote 51: Used as a refrigerant.] [Footnote 52: That is to say. You are now a legal wife, while I am still a courtesan.] [Footnote 53: "Rams in India are commonly trained to fight." WILSON.] [Footnote 54: Virtuous souls after death may become stars; but when their stellar happiness equals the sum of their acquired merit, they fall to earth again.] [Footnote 55: The choristers of heaven.] [Footnote 56: The nymphs of heaven.] [Footnote 57: The god of wealth.] [Footnote 58: This shows the excellence of Vasantasenā's education. Women, as an almost invariable rule, speak Prākrit.] [Footnote 59: A gesture of respectful entreaty.] ACT THE FIFTH THE STORM [_The love-lorn Chārudatta appears, seated._] _Chārudatta._ [_Looks up._]