nor have we yet ridden out together, nor have we eaten together, and going away I look upon as a loss." And it said, "Master, you cannot help it, for he wishes to go quickly home, and he has told me that he has now stayed a long while." And he said, "Very good." And it went and gave its master the answer. And it said, "I have told your father-in-law your plans, and he is satisfied." And he said, "Give orders, then, to tell all the people that in the space of four days the sultan's daughter is going to her husband's house, and do you all know it."
And the sultan told the people who were in the town, women and men, "The day my daughter goes, let the ladies follow her." And he chose out people and told them, "Do you stay and look after my daughter on the road."
So when the space of four days was ended, all the great ladies went forth with their slaves and their horses, and formed a company to convey the sultan's daughter to the house of her husband, Sultan Darai. And they went out, and entered on the road, and went on until the sun had ceased to be overhead, and they rested; and the gazelle ordered good food to be got ready, and they ate, from the gentry to the slaves, and they were well filled, and their souls rejoiced because the food was so good.
And they went on till after five o'clock. And it said to them, "Gentlefolks, here let us stay, it is our sleeping-place." And good food was prepared, and beautiful rice, and they ate, gentry and slaves; and they rejoiced, gentry and slaves, and slept in that place. So at night it began from corner to corner, from beginning to end, as to gentry and slaves, even as to the beasts that were ridden, there was not one that had not its honour. From the slaves to the gentry, even to the beasts they rode, all were glad, because it wished much to please its master. And he called it, "Father!" And he said, "I think you
