The World of Courtesans c11.91

c11.91

Kalavati at once signalled to him to come up. He did so. He found her in a dejected mood, her head was resting on her palm, her hair was dishevelled, her eyes were without collyrium and her lips throbbed all the time. The barber asked her why her joyful zone had ceased tingling and why no sandal paste and sandal powder decorated her body. Had her rival betrayed her to the police prefect as a receiver of stolen goods? Had her lover married someone else and deserted her? Or perhaps having once presented clothes and ornaments to her, her lover had now taken them back? Or was it possible that like some Yaksha or a knave (*tīkshṇa*) he had begun tormenting her? Or had some cheat left her a beggar or bound her to his wishes by throwing a *Vaśīkaraṇa* magic powder on her hair? Is it possible that out of sheer enmity somebody had betrayed her hidden treasure?