Very greatly was the witch pleased with this. She watched stealthily, to learn which was the maiden’s room, and, after that, went to her own and lay down. Soon, all the household were in their beds and asleep. When midnight came, the witch arose and stole to the maiden’s door, entered it, and went directly to the bed upon which the young creature lay in a sound, sweet sleep. Creeping closely to the bedside, she unclasped the gold band from the girl’s arm, then hastened to her own room, put on her cloak and sandals, and left the house.
From thence she hastened to the palace, and in the very early morning delivered up the stolen jewel to the mother of the false princess. It was received with great rejoicing by both of the evil plotters. [[86]]They permitted themselves to be happy again, now that they felt assured of the death of her whom they had feared.
Let these remain quiet while we turn to the muleteer’s wife.
When morning came she arose and, with misgiving, went to the room which had been given to their weird visitor. It was as she feared. The room was empty. Then, hoping against fear, she looked to see if the woman’s cloak could be found. That, too, had disappeared. Thus was her fear confirmed and her perplexity increased. She then went to seek her foster daughter; but, finding her asleep, would not waken her, and returned to her own room.
The hours dragged by. It was near noon, and the maiden, an early riser, had not appeared. The foster mother began speaking to herself: “This child, whom Allah graciously sent to us, used always to arise very early. Now, to-day—when the person to whom we gave food and shelter has acted so as to perplex my soul—does this daughter delay her daily coming to me. I will go and awaken her.”
Accordingly, filled with vague alarm, she hastened to the door and called with tender voice, “O, my daughter, why do you sleep so long?”
No answer came to her words. Again she called, [[87]]and again listened in vain. Not the slightest sound greeted her anxious ear. She entered the door, approached the bed, and leaned over the unconscious figure. But, leaning and listening, she found that not the faintest breath passed those quiet lips. In desperate haste she clasped the cold hands and began to chafe the delicate feet. Alas! they were like ice.
Then, indeed, did the heart of the muleteer’s wife become sore. She threw herself upon the floor, began beating her head against it, and, as she did so, she mourned: “Ai! my girl, my girl is dead! Henceforth shall the world be accursed unto me!”
Her husband heard the cry. He hastened to her and begged to know the cause of such grief. Whereupon she answered: “Ai, my lord, our girl, whom we love and whom we had taught to love us, is dead. Alone, in the night, did she die. I cannot contain myself for grief!”
When the muleteer heard this, and after he had assured himself of its truth, tears, like rain, began to flow from his eyes. Then the whole household came to join in mourning the death of the beautiful girl.