The World of Courtesans c10.204

c10.204

After this encounter, the Vita meets another character named Taundikoki Suryanaga who tries to avoid him. This is because only three days ago the strumpets (*patakaveshya*) living in thatched huts outside the city had filed a complaint against him, and he was arrested and dragged to the court. An army officer made out a plea that he was a relative of a military officer and got him released with great difficulty. The Viṭa, however, refuses to let go such a wonderful opportunity and makes fun of him. When he confronts him he pretends that he had come there to enquire after the health of the former mistress of his uncle. But the Viṭa is not to be deceived. He knows his secret Suryanaga in order to propitiate him falls at his feet and requests him not to broadcast the news of his visit to the quarter of ill-fame "Well, friend, who can make the moonlight bloom? Since your falling in love with that dwarfish maid-servant of Rupadasi, your fame in the region has spread like a drop of oil in water." They continue for some time in a bantering vein and then part company.