First she made a low obeisance in honour of the goddess; then taking up the bright red ball with her slender fingers, she let it drop as if accidentally, and striking it as it rebounded, caught it on the back of her hand and sent it high into the air; then she made it rise and fall, at first slowly, then faster, and then very rapidly, keeping time to it by graceful movements of the feet.  Sometimes it seemed to stand still, sometimes to fly up like a bird; at one time she would strike it alternately with her right hand and left hand; at another send it high into the air, dancing meanwhile to her own singing; then the ball would go quite away, and come back as if of itself.  Thus she went on a long time amidst the applause of the surrounding spectators, performing various graceful movements, striking the ball with feet as well as hands, and even making it whirl round and round her so rapidly that she seemed to be enclosed in a fiery red cage; now with one hand holding up her dress or replacing her hair which had fallen down, and keeping the ball in motion with the other; now taking several balls and keeping them all in the air at once.

At last the performance was ended; and, after again making a low obeisance in honour of the goddess, she walked slowly round the stage, leaning on the arm of her foster-sister Chandrasena, and followed by her maidens, casting several significant glances at me, and especially giving me one long lingering look as she withdrew.

My new friend, Kosadasa, who had stood near me all the time, invited me to his house, where I was most hospitably entertained.

In the evening, Chandrasena, the lady to whom he had introduced me, came to see him.  I said to her:  “I promised to find some means of freeing you from the importunities of the prince; this is what I have thought of.  I have a magic ointment, a small quantity of which applied to your face will make you look like a monkey in the eyes of all who see you.  Your persecutor will certainly then be disgusted, and give you no more annoyance.”

“Truly I am exceedingly obliged to you,” she answered, “for such a charming proposal.  But whatever I may be in a future birth, I have no inclination to be turned into a monkey now.  If you have nothing better than this to propose, we shall not esteem your wisdom very highly.  Happily, I have thought of something much better.  You have heard that, according to the word of Durga, the princess is to be allowed free choice of a husband.  You are greatly in love with her, and she is favourably disposed towards you, from your appearance.  My mother, of whom she is very fond, will do everything in her power to promote your interests; and no doubt she will choose you.  The king and queen will of course give their consent; and the marriage once completed, there will be no further danger, since Bhimadhanwa will be subject to you, and you will be able easily to protect me.  Wait, therefore, a few days, and I and my mother will do our best on your behalf.  But I must not stay longer; my mistress will be waiting for me.”