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

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by the midwife, now burst into tears, her supposed daughter
joining her, and the king himself was so moved as to catch
the infection. The young king and his mother could not
but trace the hand of Providence throughout the mazes of
the painful story thus unfolded before them, and they blessed
and thanked the Almighty for his goodness in enabling
them to elicit the truth. The princess, giving way to her
feelings, affectionately embraced the king, and kissed him
a thousand times, her demonstrations of affection being as
tenderly returned ; and though they were both bathed in
torrents of tears, yet were they tears of joy. After a short
stay in the house, which was spent in mutual inquiries and
explanations, and in the interchange of those expressions of
solicitude and love, the full depth of which those similarly
placed can alone be said to understand, the king ordered his
state palanquins to be brought for his mother and the
young princess who had so long supplied the place of a child
to her. When the princess, after years of misery and
privation, found herself with her son and helpmate, if we
may so call her adopted child, in the palace together, her
joy became boundless; words cannot do justice to that
which every look, every movement, and every attitude
displayed. She was happy—supremely happy !—the only
thing that helped, perhaps, to cast a cloud on the sunshine
that now shone over all, was the absence of her dear lord
and husband; and even in such moments she might be
said to find consolation, for she knew that he was well in
health, and in perfect safety.
" Next morning, the king called his minister, and without
at all acquainting him with his intentions, directed him to
assume the reins of government during an absence which
he contemplated. He said he trusted to his integrity and
ability, for which he was deservedly famed. In all his
decisions he directed him to be guided by the strictest
impartiality, equity, and justice. He was going, he said,
to settle an important affair, which would take at least a
month. He also ordered that whatever preparations might