ich he
has received."

While the Vizier was speaking, the trembling Zeraide would have fallen
dead at his feet if she had not perceived in the eyes of Halechalbe
something more than compassion for the confusion to which she was
reduced. With pleasure did she throw herself at his feet, and kissed
them with transport. The young husband, happy beyond expression,
having raised Zeraide, embraced her, and for some moments their tears
were mingled together. This affecting scene made an impression on
Giafar, who was passionately fond of his daughter: the father and the
minister were at once disarmed. But the Cadi must be called to correct
the irregularity in the contract of marriage. He learned that his name
was Yaleddin, and ordered him to be instantly sent for.

Yaleddin arrived, and did not allow Giafar time to ask why he agreed
to marry Zeraide in private, and without the concurrence of any one
but the young lady.

"Your daughter," said the judge, "sent for me, and discovered the
excess of her passion. I thought it my duty to fulfil her wishes, that
I might prevent, though by an irregular proceeding on my part, a
conduct still more irregular in her. She proposed that I should be her
guardian; and having undertaken this character, and not condemning her
choice, I believed I was doing an important service to this fond
couple, and I plainly foresaw that one day it would not meet your
disapprobation."

Giafar, instead of showing dissatisfaction, generously expressed his
gratitude to the Cadi; but ordered the slave Zaliza to be delivered to
him, that she might be punished, after a confession should be extorted
from her of the odious stratagem which she had employed for separating
her mistress and her husband.

The happy pair were then left to themselves, after the Vizier had
assured Halechalbe that he would be as dear to him as his own son.
Magnificent feasts were afterwards given, that all possible splendour
might accompany an union authorized and approved by the Caliph, and
which diffused joy among all the inhabitants of Bagdad.

Thus did Halechalbe pass almost unexpectedly from a madhouse to that
honourable elevation to which he was raised by the Caliph Haroun, and
from the most mournful of all situations to the highest degree of
happiness.

[Illustration]

The Four Talismans.

[Illustration]

Abouali Nabul,[7] Emperor of the Moguls, reflecting upon his great
age, felt convinced that he could not long e