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do not go till I return, that I may accompany thee and watch the

issue of thine affair." "So be it," I replied, "do not be long

absent." Then he took all the meat and drink I had given him and

the rest of it and went out of my house; but the accursed carle

gave it in charge of a porter to carry to his home but hid

himself in one of the alleys. As for me I rose on the instant,

for the Muezzins had already called the Salam of Friday, the

salutation to the Apostle;[FN#628] and I dressed in haste and

went out alone and, hurrying to the street, took my stand by the

house wherein I had seen the young lady. I found the old woman on

guard at the door awaiting me, and went up with her to the upper

story, the damsel's apartment. Hardly had I reached it when

behold, the master of the house returned from prayers and

entering the great saloon, closed the door.