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

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to undertake the task, and I will, rest assured, handsomely reward you for the same.’ This gave much pleasure to the midwife, as it promised to assist her in the work she had already undertaken, as well as add considerably to the profit; and, what was more, it would effectually silence all suspicions, and close the door against any conjecture that might ever arise; of which, however, as the two cases at present stood, there was not the slightest probability. She did not therefore hesitate to promise her strict attention to the queen’s proposition, and her unqualified aid in carrying it out; and went home in high glee, and with a well-filled purse, ruminating on the good luck that had attended her. From this day she became very regular in her attendance on both the queen and the princess, anxiously awaiting the time of delivery of each, which, by her observation and experience, she knew could not be far distant in either case. While thus engaged, the queen sent for her, requiring her immediate attendance, being taken suddenly ill. Prior to this, however, the cunning woman had established two of her own tried creatures in attendance upon these two preg- nant women,—the queen and the inmate of the actress’ house,—as she knew that without such aid she could ill perform the project she had in hand, though in the one case, that of the queen, it was with her full consent and cogni- sance. The midwife lost no time in attending upon the queen, and at an early hour on the following morning she had the pleasure of witnessing, though to the no small grief of the queen, the birth of as handsome a princess as she could have wished to see. Not long after this occur- rence she was sent for by the actress, as the princess was also taken ill about the same time, and was delivered of a beautiful prince. As may well be imagined, the midwife lost no time, aided by the darkness of the night, speedily to effect her purpose; and as the day dawned upon the inmates of either house, the exchange had been made, and the infants laid beside the mothers who had not given them birth, but who were in future to be considered and acknow-