Encouraged by my words, she told me her story:  “My name is Kulapalika; I am the daughter of a rich merchant in this city, and was from childhood engaged to the son of another rich man, named Dhanamittra:  he, however, being of a very generous disposition, when he had succeeded to his father’s property was preyed on by pretended friends and reduced to comparative poverty.  Seeing this, my father refused his consent to our marriage, and, in spite of my reluctance, is determined to give me to a rich man, called Arthapati.  To escape this marriage, I have slipped out from home by a secret passage, rarely used, and am going to the house of my lover, who is expecting me and will take me away to some other country; pray do not detain me, but accept this.”  So saying, she put one of her ornaments into my hand.  I did not refuse it, but walked by her side, intending to escort her to her destination.

We had, however, only gone a few steps, when I saw coming towards us, at no great distance, a large body of the citizen guard.  Without losing a moment, I said to the trembling girl, “Don’t be alarmed; say that I have been bitten by a serpent, and I will manage the rest.”

By the time they reached us I had thrown myself on the ground, and lay as if insensible, and she stood over me, crying.  On being questioned, she answered, with many tears, and in evident distress:  “My husband and I, coming from the country, lost our way, and have only lately entered the city.  Just now he was bitten by a serpent, and is all but dead.  Is there any one among you skilled in charms who can recover him?”

Among the guard there chanced to be a very conceited man, who had often boasted of his skill, and was now delighted to have an opportunity of displaying it.  He stood over me while the others waited, and, with many gesticulations, muttered various charms supposed to be efficacious in such a case; but finding all of no avail, said at last, “Ah! it is too late; the poor man is past all remedies:  what a pity I did not see him sooner!” Then, joining his companions, who were impatient to be off, he turned to the sobbing girl and said:  “He was evidently fated to die; who can prevail over fate?  It is useless to lament; nothing more can be done now; wait a little while, and when we come back we will remove the body.”

As soon as they were out of sight I rose up, took her to the house of Dhanamittra, and said to him:  “I met this lady just now; I have brought her safely here, and now restore the ornament which she gave me in her fright; for, though I am a robber, I would not steal from one like her.”

Delighted at seeing her, he answered:  “O, sir, you have indeed rendered me a great service in bringing this dear one in safety here; such conduct is very extraordinary in a man of your way of life, and I am quite unable to understand your motives for acting thus.  At all events, I am under very great obligation to you; command my services in future.”