e would be in danger of being supplanted by an
enemy. On that account, in order that he might be perfectly safe, had
the sultan given him, to be brought up, to his old and tried friend,
Elfi Bey; and twenty-two sad years had lived without looking upon him.

This did the sultan impart to his supposed son, and seemed delighted
beyond measure with his figure and dignified demeanor.

When they reached the sultan's dominions, they were everywhere
received by the inhabitants with shouts of joy; for the rumor of the
prince's arrival had spread like wildfire through the cities and
towns. In the streets through which they proceeded, arches of flowers
and branches were erected; bright carpets of all colors adorned the
houses; and the people loudly praised God and his prophet, who had
discovered to them so noble a prince. All this filled the proud heart
of the tailor with delight: so much the more unhappy did it make the
real Omar, who, still bound, followed the procession in silent
despair. In this universal jubilee, though it was all in his honor, no
one paid him any attention. A thousand, and again a thousand, voices
shouted the name of Omar; but of him who really bore this name, of him
none took notice: at most, only one or two inquired whom they were
carrying with them, so tightly bound, and frightfully in the ears of
the prince sounded the answer of his guards, "It is a mad tailor."

The procession at last reached the capital of the sultan, where all
was prepared for their reception with still more brilliancy than in
the other cities. The sultana, an elderly woman of majestic
appearance, awaited them, with her whole court, in the most splendid
saloon of the castle. The floor of this room was covered with a large
carpet; the walls were adorned with bright blue tapestry, which was
suspended from massive silver hooks, by cords and tassels of gold.

[Illustration]

It was dark by the time the procession came up, and accordingly many
globular colored lamps were lighted in the saloon, which made night
brilliant as day; but with the clearest brilliancy and most varied
colors, shone those in the farthest part of the saloon, where the
sultana was seated upon a throne. The throne stood upon four steps,
and was of pure gold, inlaid with amethysts. The four most illustrious
emirs held a canopy of crimson silk over the head of their mistress;
and the sheik of Medina cooled her with a fan of peacock feathers.
Thus awaited the sultana