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[FN#457] When the people of Damascus saw Ajib's beauty and

brilliancy and perfect grace and symmetry (for he was a marvel of

comeliness and winning loveliness, softer than the cool breeze of

the North, sweeter than limpid waters to a man in drowth, and

pleasanter than the health for which sick man sueth), a mighty

many followed him, whilst others ran on before, and sat down on

the road until he should come up, that they might gaze on him,

till, as Destiny had decreed, the Eunuch stopped opposite the

shop of Ajib's father, Badr al-Din Hasan. Now his beard had grown

long and thick and his wits had ripened during the twelve years

which had passed over him, and the Cook and ex-rogue having died,

the so-called Hasan of Bassorah had succeeded to his goods and

shop, for that he had been formally adopted before the Kazi and

witnesses.