f stole what
was entrusted to you, any reason why you should swoon?

53.5. S.]

_Charudatta._ [_Coming to himself._] Ah, my friend,

Who will believe the truth?
Suspicion now is sure.
This world will show no ruth
To the inglorious poor. 24

Alas! If envious fate before
Has wooed my wealth alone.
Why should she seek my store
Of virtue as her own? 25

_Maitreya._ I intend to deny the whole thing. Who gave anybody
anything? who received anything from anybody? who was a witness?

_Charudatta._ And shall I tell a falsehood now?

No! I will beg until I earn
The wherewithal my debt to pay.
Ignoble falsehood I will spurn.
That steals the character away. 26

_Radanika._ I will go and tell his good wife. [_She goes out, returning
with Charudatta's wife._]

_Wife._ [_Anxiously._] Oh! Is it true that my lord is uninjured, and
Maitreya too?

_Radanika._ It is true, mistress. But the gems which belong to the
courtezan have been stolen. [_Charudatta's wife swoons._] O my good
mistress! Come to yourself!

_Wife._ [_Recovering._] Girl, how can you say that my lord is uninjured?
Better that he were injured in body than in character. For
now the people of Ujjayini will say that my lord committed this
crime because of his poverty. [_She looks up and sighs._] Ah, mighty
Fate! The destinies of the poor, uncertain as the water-drops which
fall upon a lotus-leaf, seem to thee but playthings. There remains
to me this one necklace, which I brought with me from my mother's
house. But my lord would be too proud to accept it. Girl,
call Maitreya hither.

P. 95.7]

_Radanika._ Yes, mistress. [_She approaches Maitreya._] Maitreya,
my lady summons you.

_Maitreya._ Where is she?

_Radanika._ Here. Come!

_Maitreya._ [_Approaching._] Heaven bless you!

_Wife._ I salute you, sir. Sir, will you look straight in front of you?

_Maitreya._ Madam, here stands a man who looks straight in front
of him.

_Wife._ Sir, you must accept this.

_Maitreya._ Why?

_Wife._ I have observed the Ceremony of the Gems. And on this
occasion one must make as great a present as one may to a Brahman.
This I have not done, therefore pray accept this necklace.

_Maitreya._ [_Receiving the necklace._] Heaven bless you! I will go
and tell my friend.

_Wife._ You must not do it in such a