him servants and fix their pay, that he may in every way live at his ease.’  The eunuch furnished him with a house, and set up a jeweller’s shop for him to carry on the traffic, and prepared everything that was requisite.  In a short time, his shop became so brilliant and showy, that whatever rich khil’ats or superb jewels were required for the king and his nobles, could only be procured there; and by degrees his shop so flourished, that all the rarities of every country were to be found there; and the daily traffic of all other jewellers became languid in comparison with his.  In short, no one was able to compete with him in the city, nor was his equal [to be found] in any other country.

“He made a great deal of money [174] by his business; but [grief for his] absence daily preyed on my mind, and injured my health; no expedient could be hit upon by which I might see him, and console my heart.  At last, for the purpose of consultation, I sent for the same experienced eunuch, and said to him, ’I can devise no plan by which I may see the youth for a moment, and inspire my heart with patience.  There remains only this method, which is to dig a mine from his house and join the same to the palace.’  I had no sooner expressed my wish, than such a mine was dug in a few days, so that on the approach of evening the eunuch used to conduct the young man through that same passage, in silence and secrecy [to my apartment].  We used to pass the whole night in eating and drinking, and every enjoyment; I was delighted to meet him, and he was rejoiced to see me.  When the morning star appeared, and the muwazzin [175] gave notice [of the time for morning prayers], the eunuch used to lead the youth by the same way to his house.  No fourth person had any knowledge of these circumstances; [it was known] only to the eunuch and two nurses who had given me milk, and brought me up.

“A long period passed in this manner; but it happened one day that when the eunuch went to call him, according to custom, then he perceived that the youth was sitting sorrowful and silent.  The eunuch asked him, ’Is all well to-day? why are you so sad?  Come to the princess; she has sent for you.’  The youth made no reply whatever, nor did he move his tongue.  The eunuch returned alone with a similar face, and mentioned to me the young man’s condition.  As the devil was about to ruin me, even after this conduct I could not banish him from my heart; if I had known that my love and affection for such an ungrateful wretch would have at last rendered me infamous and degraded, and would have destroyed my fame and honour; then I should have at that moment shrunk back from such a proceeding, and should have done penance; I never again should have pronounced his name, neither should I have devoted my heart to the shameless [fellow].  But it was to happen so; for this reason I took no heed of his improper conduct, and his not coming I imagined to be the affectation and airs of those [who