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

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countenance expressing execration of the deed the conse-
quences of which she had to deplore. The deities appeared,
as we said, before the princess, and one among them
addressed her as follows :—' My dear princess ! stay, stay
awhile, and we will tell you." She paused involuntarily, and
was struck with wonder as she observed the beauty which
these deities displayed, and at their sudden and unexpected
appearance in the privacy of her apartment at that hour of the
night. She however summoned sufficient courage to enquire
of them the purport of their visit. ' I suppose,' said she, ' you
are in possession of my husband. There has been to-day a
favourable prediction revealed to me,—that if I enjoy his
person to-night, I shall bear a son who will possess extra-
ordinary merit. Hearing this, I was about to curse those
who kept my husband from me or killed him.' The deities
said, ' We beg to offer you our services in recovering your
husband, if you will promise to send him back to us after the
accomplishment of your present desires.' Upon hearing
this the princess was much overjoyed, and, without giving
the proposition a single thought beyond the hope of speedily
recovering him she loved, though he was eventually to be lost
to her for ever, replied, ' Here do I give you my faithful
promise that as soon as I shall have realised what I have
just been telling you, I will return my husband to you.
Believe me, I will not forfeit my word, which is as dear to
me as anything can well be.' The deities were satisfied,
and immediately, by some agency peculiar to themselves,
introduced the long-lost prince into the apartment, they
themselves disappearing at the same instant. As soon as
the princess beheld the prince before her, full of life and
health, she rushed into his arms, and he affectionately
embraced her ; they then retired for the night. At early
dawn the deities presented themselves as before in the
apartment, and claimed the fulfilment of the promise made
by the princess the previous night,—to make over her
husband to them, as had been then agreed upon on both
sides. She had no alternative but to comply, and she
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