The World of Courtesans c11.97

c11.97

She pretended to be a widow. She clad herself in white garments and reached Sureshvari (near Isabar) and there offered oblation to the gods. But she was always on the lookout for a victim. She soon managed to capture a rich cavalier. After some time her lover died. She threatened to enter the flames of the funeral pyre. She desisted from doing so when the king promised to make her the sole owner of the dead man's property. Because of her newly acquired wealth the officers of the state began to solicit her. She chose a clerk of the royal stables and helped him to fleece the master. He robbed people the whole day, then spent the evening enjoying good food and drinks. He slept heavily and in the morning took a bath in order to overcome the night's fatigue. Taking advantage of this state of affairs she began selling his property. After his death his sons tried to dissuade her from selling the house where they had lived but she went to the court. She bribed the pleader and managed to get a decree in her own favour. Fearing the vengeance of the sons she sold the house and left the place.