The next day we walked out carefully dressed, and were amused at
hearing an exaggerated account of our adventures of the preceding
night, which had caused much alarm and excitement in the city.

I had hoped, by robbing the old man, to prevent the marriage of his
daughter with Arthapati. But this hope was frustrated; for the latter
was not only willing to take Kulapâlika without a dowry, but even made
presents to her father; and it was settled that the marriage should
take place at the end of a month.

Finding this to be the case, I felt that something more must be done;
and having hit upon a plan which I thought would be effectual, I gave
Dhanamittra directions how to act.

Accordingly, a few days afterwards, he went to the king, to whom he
was previously known, and having asked for a private audience, said:
"A very wonderful thing has happened to me, of which it seems right
that your majesty should be informed. You have known me as
Dhanamittra, the son of a very rich man. During my prosperity, I was
engaged to the daughter of a wealthy merchant; but when I was reduced
to poverty, he refused his consent to our marriage, and is now about
to give her to another.

"Driven to despair by the double loss of fortune and wife, I went into
a wood near the city, intending to put an end to my wretched life.

"There, when in the act of cutting my throat, I was stopped by a very
aged devotee, who asked the cause of the rash act.

"'Poverty, and contempt,' I answered.