第83章 STORY OF THE HUNCHBACK(5)

So she lifted her veiland I took one look at her facethat caused me a thousand regretsand fell so violently in love with herthat I was no longer master of my reason. Then she let down her veil and taking the piece of stuffsaid'O my lordleave me not desolate！'and went awaywhilst I remained sitting in the shop till the time of afternoon-prayer was pastlost to the world and fairly distraught for love；and the violence of my passion prompted me to make enquiries about her of the merchant，who replied'She is a lady of wealththe daughter of an Amir，who died and left her a large fortune.'Then I took leave of him and returned to the Khanwhere they set the evening meal before me；but I could not eatfor thinking of herand laid down to rest. But sleep came not to me and I lay awake till daylight，when I rose and changed my dress. I broke my fast on a cup of wine and a morsel of bread and going to the marketsaluted Bedreddin and sat down by him in his shop. Presently up came the ladyfollowed by a slave-girland more richly dressed than beforeand saluting meinstead of Bedreddinsaid to mein a voice than which I never heard a sweeter or softer'Send with me some one to take the twelve hundred dirhemsthe price of the stuff.'What hurry is there？'asked I. And she said'May we never lose thee！'And gave me the money. Then I sat talking with herand presently I made signs to herby which she understood that I desired toenjoy her and rose hastilyas if vexed with meand went away. My heart clung to her and I rose and followed in her track；but as I went alonga slave-girl accosted me，saying. 'O my lordmy mistress would speak with thee.'At this I was astonishedand said'There is no one who knows me here.'O my lord，'answered the slave'how quickly thou hast forgotten her！My mistress is she who was to-day at the shop of the merchant Bedreddin.'So I followed her to the money-changer's，where I found the ladywho drew me to her side and said to me，'O my belovedthou hast made prize of my heartand love of thee has conquered my soul. Since the day I saw thee firstI have taken no delight in sleep nor in meat nor drink.'My sufferings have been still greater than thine，'answered I；'and my state dispenses me from complaint.'Then said she'O my lordshall I come to thee or wilt thou come to me？'Quoth I'I am a stranger here and have no lodging but the Khan；so by thy favourit shall be at thy house.'It is well，'replied she；'to-night is Friday eveand nothing can be done；but to-morrowafter the morning-prayermount thine ass and enquire for the house of Berekat the Syndicknown as Abou Shamehin the Hebbaniyeh quarter；for I live there；and do not delayfor I shall be expecting thee.'At thisI rejoiced greatly and took leave of her and returned to the Khanwhere I passed a sleepless night.

As soon as it was dayI rose and changed my clothes and perfumed myself with essences and sweet-scented smoke. Then I took fifty dinars in a handkerchief and went out to the Zuweyleh Gatewhere I hired an assbidding the driver carry me to the Hebbaniyeh. So he set off with me and brought me in the twinkling of an eye to a by-street called El Munkeriwhere I bade him go in and enquire for the Syndic's house. After a little he returned and said'Alight.'But I made him guide me to the housewhere I dismounted and giving him a quarter-dinarsaid'Come back to-morrow at daybreak and fetch me away.'In the name of God，'

answered heand went away. Then I knocked at the gate and there came out two young girlshigh-bosomed maidsas they were moons，and said to me'Enterfor our mistress awaits theeand she slept not last night for joyance in thee.'So I entered and they brought methrough a vestibuleinto an upper chamber with seven doorspaved with vari-coloured marbles and furnished with hangings and carpets of coloured silk. The walls were plastered with stucco-royalin which one might see his own faceand the roof was ribbed with gold and bordered with inions emblazoned in ultramarine. All around were latticed windows overlooking a gardenfull of fruits of all colourswith streams running and birds singing on the branchesand midmost the hall was a fountainat whose angles stood birds fashioned in red goldspouting forth water as it were pearls and jewels；and indeed the place comprised all kinds of beauty and dazzled the beholder with its radiance. I entered and sat down；but hardly had I done sowhen the lady came up to mecrowned with a diadem of pearls and jewels and having her eyebrows pencilled and her hands stained with henna. When she saw meshe smiled on me and embraced me and pressed me to her bosom；and she set her mouth to mine and sucked my tongueand I did the like with her. Then she said'Can it be true that thou art indeed come to me？'I am thy slave，'answered I；and she said'Welcomea thousand times！By Allahsince I first saw theesleep has not been sweet to me nor food pleasant！'Quoth I'So has it been with me also.'Then we sat down to converseand I bowed my head for bashfulness.