صفحة 302 من 1116

For a whole year have I worked at this place whereof none knoweth

but Allah, and this is the need I have of thee;" presently

adding, "May Allah never bereave thy friends of thee nor make

them desolate by thine absence, O son of my uncle, O my dear

cousin!" And he went down the stairs and disappeared for ever.

When he was lost to sight I replaced the iron plate and did all

his bidding till the tomb became as it was before and I worked

almost unconsciously for my head was heated with wine. Returning

to the palace of my uncle, I was told that he had gone forth

a-sporting and hunting; so I slept that night without seeing him;

and, when the morning dawned, I remembered the scenes of the past

evening and what happened between me and my cousin; I repented of

having obeyed him when penitence was of no avail, I still

thought, however, that it was a dream.