विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

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by the midwife, now burst into tears, her supposed daughter joining her, and the king himself was so moved as to catch the infection. The young king and his mother could not but trace the hand of Providence throughout the mazes of the painful story thus unfolded before them, and they blessed and thanked the Almighty for his goodness in enabling them to elicit the truth. The princess, giving way to her feelings, affectionately embraced the king, and kissed him a thousand times, her demonstrations of affection being as tenderly returned ; and though they were both bathed in torrents of tears, yet were they tears of joy. After a short stay in the house, which was spent in mutual inquiries and explanations, and in the interchange of those expressions of solicitude and love, the full depth of which those similarly placed can alone be said to understand, the king ordered his state palanquins to be brought for his mother and the young princess who had so long supplied the place of a child to her. When the princess, after years of misery and privation, found herself with her son and helpmate, if we may so call her adopted child, in the palace together, her joy became boundless; words cannot do justice to that which every look, every movement, and every attitude displayed. She was happy—supremely happy !—the only thing that helped, perhaps, to cast a cloud on the sunshine that now shone over all, was the absence of her dear lord and husband; and even in such moments she might be said to find consolation, for she knew that he was well in health, and in perfect safety. " Next morning, the king called his minister, and without at all acquainting him with his intentions, directed him to assume the reins of government during an absence which he contemplated. He said he trusted to his integrity and ability, for which he was deservedly famed. In all his decisions he directed him to be guided by the strictest impartiality, equity, and justice. He was going, he said, to settle an important affair, which would take at least a month. He also ordered that whatever preparations might