1116ページ中767ページ

I shall cry for her till I die.' Nor did she give over mourning

till her heart broke and she died; and things fell out after that

fashion. See then, O my son, what hath come to pass; and now I

desire thee not to thwart me in what I am about to offer thee,

and it is that I purpose to marry thee to my youngest daughter;

for she is a virgin and born of another mother;[FN#599] and I

will take no dower of thee but, on the contrary, will appoint

thee an allowance, and thou shalt abide with me in my house in

the stead of my son." "So be it," I answered, "and how could I

hope for such good fortune?" Then he sent at once for the Kazi

and witnesses, and let write my marriage contract with his

daughter and I went in to her. Moreover, he got me from the

Syndic of the bazar a large sum of money and I became in high

favour with him.