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

75 means disappeared from us, and, while we are deploring your loss, see what this wretched wife of yours has done!' The princess, after allowing the queen to vent her feelings, addressed her as follows, in vindication of her conduct:— 'Oh, mother! do not think for one moment that I am faithless to my husband, or that I can ever lose sight of what is due to me in my position.' She then explained all the circumstances connected with her present condition, and showed the queen the ring which had been given to her by the prince on the eventful night of his visit, and which she hoped would dispel every unworthy suspicion in this delicate affair. But it was of no weight: the queen examined the ring, and asked the princess why she did not show the prince to her when he appeared. 'I have a great and, as it appears to me, reasonable doubt of the truth of your statement,' said the queen. Return- ing to her palace, she resolved upon laying the whole case before the king. She was engaged in devising the best mode for doing so, when he, as was usual with him after dismissing his council, presented himself at the door of the queen's apartment, intending to spend half an hour with her in conversation. On entering, he found her in a melancholy mood; he therefore desired to be informed of the cause of her sadness. She then revealed to him the state of the princess, and her belief, which she had no ground for doubting, that the child was the fruit of an illicit amour. At this the king became greatly incensed against the inno- cent princess, and much grieved when he thought of the consequences attending it. 'What dreadful news is this that I hear?' said he; 'I have scarce got over the wound inflicted by the untimely fate of my dear child, and for whom I daily renew my lamentations, but I must meet with another blow, as if to crush me between them. Was not the death of my son sufficient to bring my grey hairs in sorrow to the grave? Must this fresh affliction be also added to it? The princess has indeed been guilty of a glaring outrage on the honour of our family by her