ortrait, and passing it off on her companion as the
picture of the god of love: her friend has found her out; and
ingeniously exposed her evasion, by delineating her in the character of
_Kama-deva's_ bride. The lady that is pictured is very handsome. Some
young female may be supposed to have spoken, indifferent to life,
because uncertain of her affection being returned. The delicate maid
entrusts her companion with the sorrows of her breast: the tattling
parrot or imitative starling repeats her words, and they find an
hospitable welcome in the ears of the fortunate. The companion, laughing
loudly, observes, "You may as well drop these evasive interpretations;
why not say at once, "the damsel doubts my returning her passion." Who
but yourself could have been delineated as the god of the flowery bow?".

The friend claps his hands and laughs. His obstreperous mirth frightens
the bird away. She perches on the plantain bower. They follow her there.
Vasantaka finds a picture and shows it to the king, who gives him a
golden bracelet. Looking at it, the king dwells upon the beauties of the
damsel.

Susangata and Sagarika hide themselves behind the plantain trees and
overhear the conversation between the king and his companion. Susangata
remarks, "You are in luck, girl; your lover is dwelling upon your
praises. The bird, as I told you, has repeated our conversation."
Sagarika thinks to herself, "What will he reply? I hang between life and
death." The king remarks farther to his companion, "My sight insatiate
rests upon her graceful limbs and slender waist. I cannot deny that she
has flatteringly delineated my likeness, nor doubt her sentiments--for
observe the traces of the tear that has fallen upon her work, like the
moist dew that starts from every pore of my frame." Sagarika says to
herself, "Heart, be of good cheer! your passion is directed to a
corresponding object." Susangata now comes forward, so as to be seen by
Vasantaka. At this the king, on the advice of his companion, covers the
picture with his mantle. Susangata says, "I am acquainted with the
secret of the picture and some other matters of which I shall apprise
her Majesty." The king takes off his bracelet and other ornaments and
offers them to her with the object of bribing her to be silent. She
replies, "Your Majesty is bountiful. You need not fear me. I was but in
jest, and do not want these jewels. The truth is, my dear friend,
Sagarika is very angry with me f