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

162 stances. The widow possessed a depth of knowledge and cunning worthy of a statesman, and though she was struck dumb with surprise for awhile at the monarch's whim, she requested him to point out the individual from whom he had purchased the diamond, saying that she would try to bring about the wishes of the king. The fisherman was immediately brought before Shambae, who ordered him on pain of death to inform her truly from whence he had pro- cured the diamond. He replied, with much trepidation, that if she would be pleased first to assure him of his majesty's pardon for the deception he had practised, he would reveal the truth. ‘Well,’ replied Shambae, ‘I will secure for you his majesty's pardon, be the circumstances what they may. Speak fearlessly.’ The fisherman then told her his adventure, exactly as it had occurred, and what his profession really was, renewing at the conclusion his solicitation for the king's clemency. Shambae made him wait until she returned from the king, to whom she hastened, and represented the case, saying that the person whom his majesty had taken for an impoverished citizen was a fisher- man, and assuring his majesty that he need not be under any apprehension, for that, if he would rely on her, and have patience for a few days, she would, by employing her utmost zeal in his service, afford him the pleasure, and that very soon, of possessing the object of his love and admira- tion. She then set out, accompanied by the fisherman, in search of the place where the fish containing the diamond had been caught. The fisherman guided her to the spot : it was a beautiful and charming locality, and the pellucid stream flowing tranquilly along added to the charms of the scene. Shambae bade the fisherman leave her, after he had shown her the exact spot, and while revolving in her mind what plan to adopt, she happened to cast her eye on the traces of footsteps on the pathway along which Prince Sewdass and the lady of the cave had but a short time before walked. She followed up these footmarks until she came to the entrance of the cave, which was not very far from