“I know not; but, by the gait and figure, something to admire.”
“She retires: I fear we shall lose the opportunity of ascertaining who she may be, for handsome strangers are not wont to visit the private gardens of the palace.”
“Go quickly and bid her stop;—say the king desires a word with her.”
Shums-ood-Deen bounded forward, and overtook the stranger as she was retiring behind an arbour through a path which led to a back entrance into the gardens.
“Stay, damsel,” said the prince; “the king desires a word with you.”
The stranger turned, and exhibited to the wondering eyes of the royal youth features and a form of such extraordinary beauty that he gazed in speechless admiration. Agha, for it was she, stood before him with a demeanour of undisturbed modesty without uttering a word, awaiting the sovereign’s approach. Gheias-ood-Deen was no less amazed than his brother with the houri form upon which his eyes, as he approached, instantly became riveted.
“Do I,” said he, “behold the marvel of my capital, to whom report has ascribed such unrivalled perfections?”
“The king beholds the daughter of his slave,” said Agha, with her eye fixed somewhat proudly on the youthful monarch.
“He is henceforward free for the daughter’s sake,” said the sovereign, approaching and offering to take her hand.
She retired, and said gravely, “I am an intruder here; may I be permitted to withdraw? It shall be my care not to intrude again upon the king’s privacy.”