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

144
he had not taken the necessary precautions to prevent their
carrying it out. The minister said that he knew nothing
of it till the moment of his majesty's sending a messenger
for the prince. The king then asked whether his orders
regarding his son had been communicated to the youth.
'May it please your majesty,' said the minister, 'I distinctly
informed my son of the instructions I had received from
your majesty, and told him in addition that if he disregarded
the matter, not only would he himself be a sufferer, but
likewise I, his father. My son promised to obey me; but
upon enquiry, I understand that yesterday morning the
Prince Sewdass sent a messenger to request my son to wait
upon him, but he returned a direct refusal, whereupon a
second messenger came with a like message, and succeeded
no better than the first. The prince, however, being bent
upon having an interview, came in person the third time,
and burst into my son's apartment. They then conversed
for some time, were afterwards seen to retire to a secluded
place, and have not since been seen or heard of. It is to
be presumed that as your majesty was pleased to lay them
under some restraint regarding their frequent meetings and
growing intimacy, they have evaded your majesty's control,
in order that they may give free scope to their inclinations.
Such being the case, I would take the liberty of suggesting
to your majesty the propriety of setting some portion of the
troops in motion. Let them be sent out to the several
neighbouring provinces, with instructions to scour the coun-
try far and wide.' The king immediately acted on the
minister's suggestion, and despatched numerous horsemen
in all directions. The greatest exertions were made by
them, but all without avail : they were fain to return, after
a fruitless search. The king was grieved to learn that no
trace of them could be found; and the minister and his
family were also thrown into deep distress. His majesty
again summoned his minister, and had another consultation
with him, but neither of them could suggest a plan likely to
result in the capture of the runaways. They became now