صفحة 328 من 1116

Four days have now passed since he was here; and, as there remain

six days before he come again, say me, wilt thou abide with me

five days, and go hence the day before his coming?" I replied

"Yes, and yes again! O rare, if all this be not a dream!" Hereat

she was glad and, springing to her feet, seized my hand and

carried me through an arched doorway to a Hammam bath, a fair

hall and richly decorate. I doffed my clothes, and she doffed

hers; then we bathed and she washed me; and when this was done we

left the bath, and she seated me by her side upon a high divan,

and brought me sherbet scented with musk. When we felt cool after

the bath, she set food before me and we ate and fell to talking;

but presently she said to me, "Lay thee down and take thy rest,

for surely thou must be weary." So I thanked her, my lady, and

lay down and slept soundly, forgetting all that had happened to

me.