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

126 to the palace. ‘No,’ thought he, ‘she has abandoned the enjoyments of a court for my sake, escaped from the hands of a ravisher, and is perhaps even now engaged in tracing me out. Oh! would that I could meet her soon!’ “The thief went on his journey, and travelled till he arrived at the anashutre which Malattee, under the name of Soomunt, had ordered, where he dined upon the dainty dishes provided for him as well as for others of his class, and was then conducted by an attendant to the king, to receive the virah. When Malattee saw him she recognised him at once, and questioned him closely as to why he had assumed the garb of a mendicant, and what were the reasons that had induced him to lead a rambling life. The thief was for a time completely dumbfoundered, but he soon regained his courage, and related everything connected with his distressing case, as he called it,—how he had gained a fair lady, and how he had been cheated by her. He said that he had adopted the habit he then wore as a punishment for the folly he had been guilty of. She laughed at the tale, and asked him how he had allowed himself to be thus tricked. ‘Alas!’ replied the thief, ‘I lost her as I have already had the honor of telling your majesty, but can your majesty inform me how she can be regained?’ ‘I can, very well,’ rejoined the king, ‘but henceforth do not trouble yourself about her; remain, however, at the anashutre, where you will get your meals, and be content.’ The thief promised obedience, and remained there, as the king had directed. “Prince Soomunt having sojourned for many days at Vodajagonath, at last set out on his way. He happened to travel the road leading to the anashutre in the city where his beloved Malattee had established herself—the city of Pooshapamuny. The princess had given strict orders that no person should pass along that way without partaking of the anashutre; so the men, observing the prince, made known to him the orders of the king, and entreated his presence, as they had that of others who had preceded him;