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

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to the palace. ‘No,’ thought he, ‘she has abandoned the
enjoyments of a court for my sake, escaped from the hands
of a ravisher, and is perhaps even now engaged in tracing
me out. Oh! would that I could meet her soon!’
“The thief went on his journey, and travelled till he
arrived at the anashutre which Malattee, under the name of
Soomunt, had ordered, where he dined upon the dainty
dishes provided for him as well as for others of his class,
and was then conducted by an attendant to the king, to
receive the virah. When Malattee saw him she recognised
him at once, and questioned him closely as to why he had
assumed the garb of a mendicant, and what were the
reasons that had induced him to lead a rambling life. The
thief was for a time completely dumbfoundered, but he
soon regained his courage, and related everything connected
with his distressing case, as he called it,—how he had gained
a fair lady, and how he had been cheated by her. He said
that he had adopted the habit he then wore as a punishment
for the folly he had been guilty of. She laughed at the
tale, and asked him how he had allowed himself to be thus
tricked. ‘Alas!’ replied the thief, ‘I lost her as I have
already had the honor of telling your majesty, but can your
majesty inform me how she can be regained?’ ‘I can,
very well,’ rejoined the king, ‘but henceforth do not
trouble yourself about her; remain, however, at the
anashutre, where you will get your meals, and be content.’
The thief promised obedience, and remained there, as the
king had directed.
“Prince Soomunt having sojourned for many days at
Vodajagonath, at last set out on his way. He happened
to travel the road leading to the anashutre in the city where
his beloved Malattee had established herself—the city of
Pooshapamuny. The princess had given strict orders that
no person should pass along that way without partaking of
the anashutre; so the men, observing the prince, made
known to him the orders of the king, and entreated his
presence, as they had that of others who had preceded him;