11. Hearing of that, this Ahalyá felt a passion for the other Indra, and became impatient in the absence of his company; thinking only how he should come to her.
12. She was fading as a tender creeper thrown adrift in the burning desert, and was burning with her inward flame, on beds of cooling leaves of the watery lotus and plantain trees.
13. She was pining amidst all the enjoyments of her royal state, as the poor fish lying exposed on the dry bed of a pool in summer heat.
14. She lost her modesty with her self possession, and repeated in her phrensy, “here is Indra, and there he comes to me.”
15. Finding her in this pitiable plight, a lady of her palace took compassion on her, and said, I will safely conduct Indra before your ladyship in a short time.
16. No sooner she heard her companion say “I will bring your desired object to you,” than she oped her eyes with joy, and fell prostrate at her feet, as one lotus flower falls before another.
17. Then as the day passed on, and the shade of night covered the face of nature, the lady made her haste to the house of Indra—the Bráhman’s boy.
18. The clever lady used her persuasions as far as she could, and then succeeded to bring with her this Indra, and present him before her royal mistress forthwith.
19. She then adorned herself with pastes and paints, and wreaths of fragrant flowers, and conducted her lover to a private apartment, where they enjoyed their fill.
20. The youth decorated also in his jewels and necklaces delighted her with his dulcet caresses, as the vernal season renovates the arbour with his luscious juice.