compassionate his mournful condition. I could not repress this desire,
and I have obtained certain news of his life and present condition by
the secret knowledge of a clever Tirinaxian. And in this manner I have
learned that he still lives in his new form, and that he has flown,
from fear of the snares of the hunter, whom we call Dodda Waddas, out
of the land into distant regions; and that it is ordained by fate that
he shall never regain his human form if I give my hand to another
husband. Sorrow at this mournful destiny has drawn these tears from my
eyes, the traces of which you observed."

This narrative made a deep impression on Haschem: he discovered also
that Handa had acceded to her father's wish only from gratitude and
filial obedience, whilst her affection was fixed on the absent Prince.
He saw that he must purchase the good fortune to be husband of the
noble Princess, and son-in-law of the great King Kadga Singa, and
after him to be King of Selandia, only by the misfortunes of Prince
Mundian Oppu. He asked himself if this were right, and was obliged to
confess that his reason and knowledge of justice and honour were
opposed to it. He saw that the intoxication of good fortune had
hitherto blinded him. Then the remembrance of his father came before
him, and he imagined him pining away at the uncertainty of his son's
fate. He bitterly reproached himself for his long forgetfulness, and
for not having sent an embassy to announce his safe arrival in
Selandia.

Scarcely had these thoughts and feelings arisen in his breast, than he
made up his mind. He took Handa's hand, and promised her that he would
do all he could to find her former lover, and restore him to her. Then
he went to the King, told him all, and begged him to let him go to
fulfil a son's duty to a father whom he had too long neglected. Kadga
Singa sighed deeply at these disclosures of his future son-in-law: he
proposed to send a ship to bring his father, so that he might end his
life in sharing his son's good fortune and companionship. But Haschem
declared to him, with determination, that he could never be his
son-in-law or successor to the throne.

"I cannot purchase such good fortune at another's expense," said he.
"It was otherwise before I knew the decision of fate; but now that I
know the Prince Mundian Oppu must, through my happiness, always remain
in his present condition, if I thus take away the possibility of his
ever returning to human form