"Go," said she faintly; "now that you are here I dare not look on you; go, in the name of Alla! what will you not have thought of me?"
"That your slave is the most favoured of his race," said I; "I beseech you to look on me, and then bid me depart if you will."
"I cannot," said the fair girl, "I cannot, I dare not; ah, nurse, what have you made me do?"
The old woman made me a sign to take the veil from her face, and I did so gently: she faintly opposed me, but it was in vain; in an instant I had removed it, and a pair of the loveliest eyes I had ever seen fixed their trembling gaze upon me—another, and I had clasped her to my heart.
"That is right," said the old woman; "I like to see some spirit in a lover; Mashalla! he is a noble youth;" and she came and cracked her fingers over my head.
"Now I will leave you," said she; "you have a great deal to say to each other, and the night is wearing fast."
"No, no, no!" cried the girl; "do not leave us; stay, good nurse, I dare not trust myself with him alone."
"Nonsense," cried the old woman, "this is foolishness; do not mind her, noble sir;" and she left the room.
"Lady," said I, "fear not, your slave may be trusted;" and I removed from her, and sat down at the edge of the carpet.