ay
anything about him; but thus told [my supposed tale]. "This wretch
is the prince of China and _Machin_; so that my father is still king;
he purchased from a merchant this picture for four _lakhs_ of rupees;
from the moment when I beheld it, my peace of mind fled, and I put
on the dress of a pilgrim; I have searched the whole world, and have
now found the object here; the same is in your power."

On hearing these words, the old man heaved a heavy sigh, and said,
"O friend, my daughter is entangled in great misfortunes; no man
can presume to marry her and enjoy her." I replied, "I am in hopes
you will explain more fully." Then that strange man related thus his
story;--"Hear, O prince! I am a chief and grandee of this unfortunate
city; my forefathers were celebrated, and of a great family; God the
Most High bestowed on me this daughter; when she became a woman, her
beauty and gracefulness and elegance of manners were celebrated; and
over the whole country it was said, that in such a person's house is a
daughter, before whose beauty even angels and fairies are abashed; how
can a human creature, therefore, be compared to her! The prince of this
city heard these praises, and became enamoured of her by report without
seeing her; he quitted food and drink, and became quite restless.

"At last, the king heard of this circumstance, and called me at night
in private and mentioned to me how matters stood; he coaxed me so
with fine speeches, that at last he got my consent to an alliance
[by marriage] with him. I likewise [naturally] reflected that as a
daughter was born to me, she must be married to some one or other;
then what can be better, than to marry her to the prince? this the
king also entreats. I accepted the proposal, and took my leave. From
that day the preparations for the marriage were begun by both
parties; and on an auspicious hour, all the _kazis_ and _muftis_,
[394] the learned men and the nobles were convened, and the marriage
rites were performed; the bride was carried away with great _eclat_,
and all the ceremonies were finished. At night, when the bridegroom
wished to consummate the nuptial rites, such a noise and uproar
arose in the palace, that the people without who mounted guard were
surprised. They wished that having opened the door of the room,
they might see what was the matter; but it was so fastened from
the inside, that they could not open it. A moment after, the noise
of lamentation became less;