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

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water to bathe her temples—and to ascertain if possible who
and what she was, and where she had come from. Hurri-
dass immediately set about executing the prince's orders :
he advanced nearer to the lady, to do which he had to enter
the rent in the rock which led to the giant's dwelling.
What was his surprise when, instead of a gloomy cavern,
he found himself at the entrance of a spacious hall, splen-
didly furnished, and showing every sign of having been in
the occupation of persons of taste and refinement! Thither
he carried the still insensible lady, and beckoned the prince
to follow. The cave was evidently the work of man : it was
in the form of a vault, the light being obtained through an
aperture in the cavity on the opposite side of the entrance.
Hurridass went further in, and seeing a basin of solid gold
on a stool, he filled it with water from a spring in the rock,
and sprinkled the face of the lady, after which he bathed
her temples. She slowly recovered, and, on looking about
her, gazed fixedly at the prince; then, turning to Hurri-
dass, she expressed her thanks to him in the most flattering
terms. 'I do not know how to thank you,' said she ; 'I
am under great obligation to you and to your brave com-
panion. But for you, I fear I should never have been
restored to consciousness. I shall not, I trust, prove
ungrateful.' Hurridass replied by a low bow, and begged
to be informed how he could be of further service to her.
She thanked him anew, and invited him and the prince to
an inner apartment, where she soon had a sumptuous
repast laid before them, of which they heartily partook.
The lady then entered into conversation with them, enquir-
ing as to their journey—whence they had come, and by
what singular chance they had arrived at that place,—' for,'
continued she, 'since I have lived here I have not once until
to-day beheld a human face !' The sweet tone in which
she spoke, and her polite manners, were not lost on the
prince or his companion. The latter said, 'Oh, princess!—
rare and unequalled being !—before I proceed to answer
your enquiries, give me leave to express the satisfaction we