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He ceased not to do thus till he reached the mansion of the Wazir

(who was his uncle), where the Chamberlains drove back the people

and forbade them to go forward; but the singing-girls and the

tirewomen said, "By Allah we will not enter unless this young man

enter with us, for he hath given us length o' life with his

largesse and we will not display the bride unless he be present."

Therewith they carried him into the bridal hall and made him sit

down defying the evil glances of the hunchbacked bridegroom. The

wives of the Emirs and Wazirs and Chamberlains and Courtiers all

stood in double line, each holding a massy cierge ready lighted;

all wore thin face-veils and the two rows right and left extended

from the bride's throne [FN#408] to the head of the hall

adjoining the chamber whence she was to come forth.