l her servants for
nothing. But Sharvilaka, where did you find such a fortune that
you can think of buying my freedom from my mistress?

_Sharvilaka._

A victim to my pauper plight,
And your sweet love to win,
For you, my timid maid, last night
I did the deed of sin. 5

[60.16. S.

_Vasantasena._ His face is tranquil. It would be troubled, if he had
sinned.

_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! For a mere nothing--for a woman--you
have risked both things!

_Sharvilaka._ What things?

_Madanika._ Your life and your character.

_Sharvilaka._ My foolish girl, fortune favors the brave.

_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! Your character was without a stain.
You didn't do anything _very_ bad, did you, when for my sake you
did the deed of sin?

_Sharv._

The gems that magnify a woman's charm,
As flowers the creeping plant, I do not harm.
I do not rob the Brahman of his pelf,
Nor seize the sacrificial gold myself.
I do not steal the baby from the nurse,
Simply because I need to fill my purse.
Even as a thief, I strive with main and might
For just distinction 'twixt the wrong and right. 6

And so you may tell Vasantasena this:

These ornaments were made for you to don,
Or so it seems to me;
But as you love me, never put them on
Where other folks may see. 7

_Madanika._ But Sharvilaka, ornaments that nobody may see, and
a courtezan--the two things do not hang together. Give me the
jewels. I want to see them.

_Sharvilaka._ Here they are. [_He gives them to her with some uneasiness._]

_Madanika._ [_Examining the jewels._] It seems to me I have seen
these before. Tell me. Where did you get them?

P. 104.15]

_Sharvilaka._ What does that matter to you, Madanika? Take them.

_Madanika._ [_Angrily._] If you can't trust me, why do you wish to
buy my freedom?

_Sharvilaka._ Well, this morning I heard in the merchants' quarter
that the merchant Charudatta--

[_Vasantasena and Madanika swoon._]

_Sharvilaka._ Madanika! Come to yourself! Why is it that now

Your figure seems to melt in limp despair,
Your eyes are wildly rolling here and there?
That when I come, sweet girl, to make you free,
You fall to trembling, not to pitying me? 8

_Madanika._ [_Coming to herself._] O you reckless man! When you
did what you ought not to have done