e others._]

_Charudatta._ But see, my friend,

The dripping flower that decks her ear, droops down,
And one sweet breast
Anointed is, like a prince who wears the crown,
With ointment blest. 38

My friend, Vasantasena's garments are wet. Let other, and most
beautiful, garments be brought.

_Maitreya._ Yes, sir.

_Maid._ Good Maitreya, do you stay here. I will wait upon my mistress.
[_She does so._]

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] My friend, I'd just like to ask
the lady a question.

_Charudatta._ Then do so.

_Maitreya._ [_Aloud._] Madam, what made you come here, when it
is so stormy and dark that you can't see the moon?

_Maid._ Mistress, the Brahman is very plain-spoken.

P. 148.17]

_Vasantasena._ You might better call him clever.

_Maid._ My mistress came to ask how much that pearl necklace is
worth.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] There! I told you so. She thinks
the pearl necklace is cheap, and the golden casket is expensive.
She isn't satisfied. She has come to look for something more.

_Maid._ For my mistress imagined that it was her own, and gambled
it away. And nobody knows where the gambling-master has gone,
for he is employed in the king's business.

_Maitreya._ Madam, you are simply repeating what somebody said
before.

_Maid._ While we are looking for him, pray take this golden casket.
[_She displays the casket._ _Maitreya hesitates._] Sir, you examine
it very closely. Did you ever see it before?

_Maitreya._ No, madam, but the skilful workmanship captivates
the eye.

_Maid._ Your eyes deceive you, sir. This _is_ the golden casket.

_Maitreya._ [_Joyfully._] Well, my friend, here is the golden casket,
the very one that thieves stole from our house.

_Charudatta._ My friend,

The artifice we tried before,
Her stolen treasure to restore,
Is practised now on us. But no,
I cannot think 't is really so. 39

_Maitreya._ But it is so. I swear it on my Brahmanhood.

_Charudatta._ This is welcome news.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] I'm going to ask where they
found it.

_Charudatta._ I see no harm in that.

_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in the maid's ear._] There!

_Maid._ [_Whispers in Maitreya's ear._] So there!

[89.19. S.

_Charudatta._ What is it? and why are we left out?

_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in Charudatta's ear._] So there!

_Charudatta._ My g