in such fashion as the Chamberlain bade him.  She fared on with him till they entered the city, and walked all about it; after which she went up to the palace of the king and fell to saying, “O fortune’s favourites, look on a youth whom the devils take twice in the day and pray to be preserved from such affliction!” And she ceased not to go round with him till she came to the eastern wing[FN#313] of the palace, whereupon the slave-girls hurried out to look upon him and when they saw him they were amazed at his beauty and loveliness and wept for him.  Then they informed the damsel, who came forth and considered him and knew him not; but he knew her; so he drooped his head and shed tears.  She was moved to pity for him and gave him somewhat and went back to her place, whilst the youth returned with the housekeeper to the Chamberlain and told him that she was in the king’s mansion, whereat he was chagrined and said, “By Allah, I will assuredly devise a device for her and deliver her!” Whereupon the youth kissed his hands and feet.  Then he turned to the old woman and bade her change her habit and her semblance.  Now this ancient dame was sweet of speech and winsome of wit; so he gave her costly and delicious ottars and said to her, “Get thee to the king’s slave-girls and sell them these essences and win thy way to the damsel and ask her if she desire her master or not.”  So the old woman went out and making her way to the palace, went in to the hand-maid and drew near her and recited these couplets,

“Allah preserve our Union-days and their delights. * Ah me!  How
     sweet was life! how joys were ever new! 
May he not be who cursed us twain with parting day; * How many a
     bone he brake, how many a life he slew! 
He shed my faultless tear-floods and my sinless blood; * And
     beggaring me of love himself no richer grew.”

When the damsel heard the old woman’s verses, she wept till her clothes were drenched and drew near the speaker, who asked her, “Knowest thou such-an-one?” And she wept and answered, “He is my lord.  Whence knowest thou him?” Rejoined the old woman, “O my lady, sawest thou not the madman who came hither yesterday with the old woman?  He was thy lord,” presently adding, “But this is no time for talk.  When ’tis night, get thee to the top of the palace and wait on the terrace till thy lord come to thee and compass thy deliverance.”  Then she gave her what she would of perfumes and returning to the Chamberlain, acquainted him with whatso had passed, and he told the youth.  Now as soon as it was evening, the Chamberlain bade bring two hackneys and great store of water and provaunt and a riding-camel and a fellow to show them the way.  These he ambushed without the town whilst he and the young man, taking with them a long rope, made fast to a staple, went and stood below the palace.  Whenas they came thither, they looked and behold, the damsel was standing on the terrace-roof, so they threw her the rope and