66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

alone, unescorted?”
She answered, “I have chosen to reject evil-doers such as
my brother and the rest and thrown my lot with those who are
saintly and good; and I shun the association of my own
people, that’s the reason why I’m alone. I have come alone
now—mainly to see you… . I want help from you. Will you
grant it?”
“Tell me your purpose. If it’s right and proper, I’ll consider
it.”
“It’s not proper for a woman of breeding to state her
innermost feelings, but I dare to do it, driven to desperation
by the attacks of the god of love. Forgive me …”
Rama understood her purpose. He realized that she had
only an appearance of quality, and was really cheap and
shameless. He remained silent. Whereupon, unable to
decide whether he was encouraging or discouraging, she
confirmed, “Not knowing that you were here, I was wasting
my youth and beauty in serving ascetics and sages. Now
that I have found you, my womanhood can have its own
fulfillment.”
Rama felt a pity for her, and, not wanting to seem hostile,
tried to argue her out of her purpose. Overcoming his
revulsion, he said, “I am of the warrior class, you are a
brahmin, and I cannot marry you.” She had an immediate
answer for this.