_Vasantasena._ [_Joyfully rising from her seat._] Sir, this house is your own. Give him a seat, girl, and take this fan. The gentleman is weary. [_Madanika does as she is bid._]
_Shampooer._ [_Aside._] What! so much honor because I mentioned Charudatta's name? Heaven bless you, Charudatta! You are the only man in the world who really lives. All others merely breathe. [_He falls at Vasantasena's feet._] Enough, madam, enough. Pray be seated, madam.
_Vasantasena._ [_Seating herself._] Where is he who is so richly your creditor, sir?
The good man's wealth consists in kindly deeds; All other wealth is vain and quickly flies. The man who honors not his neighbor's needs, Does that man know what honor signifies? 15
_Shampooer._ So I became a servant in his employ. And when his wealth was reduced to his virtue, I began to live by gambling. But fate was cruel, and I lost ten gold-pieces.
_Shampooer._ There are the gambling-master and the gambler, looking for me. You have heard my story, madam. The rest is your affair.
_Vasantasena._ Madanika, the birds fly everywhither when the tree is shaken in which they have their nests. Go, girl, and give the gambling-master and the gambler this bracelet. And tell them that this gentleman sends it. [_She removes a bracelet from her arm, and gives it to Madanika._]
_Madanika._ [_Receiving the bracelet._] Yes, mistress. [_She goes out._]
_Madanika._ Inasmuch as these two are looking up to heaven, and sighing, and chattering, and fastening their eyes on the door, I conclude that they must be the gambling-master and the gambler. [_Approaching._] I salute you, sir.
_Madanika._ Sir, which of you is the gambling-master?
O maiden, fair but something less than shy, With red lip wounded in love's ardent play, On whom is bent that sweet, coquettish eye? For whom that lisp that steals the heart away? 16
_I_ haven't got any money. You'll have to look somewhere else.
_Madanika._ You are certainly no gambler, if you talk that way. Is there any one who _owes_ you money?
_Mathura._ There is. He owes ten gold-pieces. What of him?
_Madanika._ In his behalf my mistress sends you this bracelet. No, no! He sends it himself.
_Mathura._ [_Seizing it joyfully._] Well, well, you may tell the noble youth that his account is squared. Let him come and seek delight again in gambling. [_Exeunt Mathura and the gambler._