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

73 countenance expressing execration of the deed the conse- quences of which she had to deplore. The deities appeared, as we said, before the princess, and one among them addressed her as follows :—' My dear princess ! stay, stay awhile, and we will tell you." She paused involuntarily, and was struck with wonder as she observed the beauty which these deities displayed, and at their sudden and unexpected appearance in the privacy of her apartment at that hour of the night. She however summoned sufficient courage to enquire of them the purport of their visit. ' I suppose,' said she, ' you are in possession of my husband. There has been to-day a favourable prediction revealed to me,—that if I enjoy his person to-night, I shall bear a son who will possess extra- ordinary merit. Hearing this, I was about to curse those who kept my husband from me or killed him.' The deities said, ' We beg to offer you our services in recovering your husband, if you will promise to send him back to us after the accomplishment of your present desires.' Upon hearing this the princess was much overjoyed, and, without giving the proposition a single thought beyond the hope of speedily recovering him she loved, though he was eventually to be lost to her for ever, replied, ' Here do I give you my faithful promise that as soon as I shall have realised what I have just been telling you, I will return my husband to you. Believe me, I will not forfeit my word, which is as dear to me as anything can well be.' The deities were satisfied, and immediately, by some agency peculiar to themselves, introduced the long-lost prince into the apartment, they themselves disappearing at the same instant. As soon as the princess beheld the prince before her, full of life and health, she rushed into his arms, and he affectionately embraced her ; they then retired for the night. At early dawn the deities presented themselves as before in the apartment, and claimed the fulfilment of the promise made by the princess the previous night,—to make over her husband to them, as had been then agreed upon on both sides. She had no alternative but to comply, and she K