e talisman of your teacher Modibjah will fall into
other hands, and on it depends my life. Might it be that this
body--this hateful black veil of Haschanascha--should fall to pieces
if it might conduce to your happiness. You will soon awake from a
bright dream to longer and more bitter sorrows."

Jussuf consoled her, and represented that she troubled herself with
useless fears. He took an affectionate farewell of her, and saw the
procession depart not without emotion: he would willingly have
accompanied her, but an irresistible feeling held him back. He went,
as he was now quite alone, into the garden, which was adorned with
curious flowers.

"Why was it," said he anxiously to himself, "that Haschanascha was
to-day so mournful at parting? She is so prudent, and with her clear
eyes foresees the events of life. Why can she fear that I should ever
allow Modibjah's talisman to get into a stranger's hands when I always
wear it?" With these words he pulled the little bag out, and said,
"No, I will never separate from you unless you are taken by force. But
can robbers be sheltered in this land?"

Whilst he asked himself these questions, he thought that it would be
better not to carry it in his bosom, where it might easily be found if
he were searched. He therefore wrapped it up carefully in the folds of
his turban, and believed it to be quite safe.

Night had spread its veil over the garden, and he returned to the
palace. Wonderful dreams disturbed his sleep, and their impressions
accompanied him when he went into the garden the next morning. He had
dreamt a great deal about red poppy-flowers, and now he saw them
before him in the garden-beds. He found some alone in a bed, and while
he watched them he again saw in fancy the same butterfly that he had
before seen in his own garden upon similar flowers, and the memory of
the circumstances Of the last time were deeply graven in his soul.
Then he again dwelt upon the maiden to seek whom he had made this
journey. Thus, amid these reflections, he took hold of the wooden box
which he had received from the dervish in the subterraneous chambers
in the ruined city near Shiraz.

"Without thee," said he, "could I never have obtained the object of my
desires? And of what use have you been to me till to-day? You ought to
lead me straight to my mark, and I should always be in the right way
as long as I did not open the box with the golden key. You indeed have
led me through dangers and