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

105 events that have happened to you may appear to the short- sighted vision of man as cruel and unmerited in the extreme, some good will most probably be the result. In the mean while, you are welcome to my palace and to my arms. You may for the future reside here with your child, whose education I take upon myself. You will here meet with every deference due to your exalted rank.’ This in a great measure helped to assuage the grief of the widowed queen, and she took up her abode, with her infant, under the protection of her brother, with whom she lived in the greatest comfort and harmony. “The brother of the unfortunate Shoodhamutty had a daughter about four years old, who was called Malattee. Her virtues, modest deportment, and fascinating manners, won the esteem and love of all who came in contact with her. In beauty she rivalled Rutty.* One day this youthful princess was engaged in the amusements to which children are more or less addicted, when her father happened to pass by. She looked so beautiful, with the flush on her cheek called forth by the eagerness with which she pursued her game, that the father stopped to admire her. After gazing for awhile, unseen by her, he approached her, clasped her to his affectionate bosom, and loaded her with kisses. While so engaged he addressed her in the most affectionate words. ‘Daughter,’ said he, ‘you have now arrived at an age fitted to receive good and useful impressions; I there- fore wish to send you to school. You must endeavour to make yourself acquainted with everything fitted to adorn your rank and position, and the station in life which you will some day or other be called upon to fill.’ That same day he ordered a clever Pundit to be brought to him, and entrusted the child to his care, directing him to instruct her in the first instance in the accomplishments suited to her capacity, and by degrees to lead her mind to higher and nobler acquisitions; in short, to pay every possible attention to her improvement. The Pundit, in obedience to the

• The spouse of the God of Love. O