then I'll be friends with you forever. Otherwise, there will be a
fight to the death."

_Charudatta._ [_Contemptuously._] He is a fool. [_To himself._] How is
this maiden worthy of the worship that we pay a goddess! For now

Although I bade her enter, yet she seeks
To spare my poverty, nor enters here;
Though men are known to her, yet all she speaks
Contains no word to wound a modest ear. 56

[_Aloud._] Mistress Vasantasena, I have unwittingly made myself
guilty of an offense; for I greeted as a servant one whom I did not
recognize. I bend my neck to ask your pardon.

_Vasantasena._ It is I who have offended by this unseemly intrusion.
I bow my head to seek your forgiveness.

_Maitreya._ Yes, with your pretty bows you two have knocked your
heads together, till they look like a couple of rice-fields. I also bow
my head like a camel colt's knee and beseech you both to stand
up. [_He does so, then rises._]

_Charudatta._ Very well, let us no longer trouble ourselves with
conventions.

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] What a delightfully clever hint! But
it would hardly be proper to spend the night, considering how I
came hither. Well, I will at least say this much. [_Aloud._] If I am
to receive thus much of your favor, sir, I should be glad to leave
these jewels in your house. It was for the sake of the jewels that
those scoundrels pursued me.

P. 45.14]

_Charudatta._ This house is not worthy of the trust.

_Vasantasena._ You mistake, sir! It is to men that treasures are
entrusted, not to houses.

_Charudatta._ Maitreya, will you receive the jewels?

_Vasantasena._ I am much indebted to you. [_She hands him the
jewels._]

_Maitreya._ [_Receiving them._] Heaven bless you, madam.

_Charudatta._ Fool! They are only entrusted to us.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] Then the thieves may take them, for all I care.

_Charudatta._ In a very short time--

_Maitreya._ What she has entrusted to us, belongs to us.

_Charudatta._ I shall restore them.

_Vasantasena._ I should be grateful, sir, if this gentleman would
accompany me home.

_Charudatta._ Maitreya, pray accompany our guest.

_Maitreya._ She walks as gracefully as a female swan, and you are
the gay flamingo to accompany her. But I am only a poor Brahman,
and wherever I go, the people will fall upon me just as dogs will
snap at a victim dragged to the cross-roads.

_Charudatta._ Very well. I will accompany her myself