Pagina 735 van 1116

As she drew near, the slave girls dispersed from around her, and

I advanced and kissed the ground between her hands. She signed to

me to sit and, when I sat down before her chair, she began

questioning me of my forbears and family and condition, to which

I made such answers that pleased her, and she said to my

mistress, "Our nurturing of thee, O damsel, hath not disappointed

us." Then she said to me, "Know that this handmaiden is to us

even as our own child and she is a trust committed to thee by

Allah." I again kissed the ground before her, well pleased that I

should marry my mistress, and she bade me abide ten days in the

palace. So I abode there ten days, during which time I saw not my

mistress nor anybody save one of the concubines, who brought me

the morning and evening meals. After this the Lady Zubaydah took

counsel with the Caliph on the marriage of her favourite

handmaid, and he gave leave and assigned to her a wedding portion

of ten thousand gold pieces.