"Where is the darling boy?" exclaimed the chief; "I have forgiven him all: I long to clasp him in my arms!" "Renowned Kâdir Beg," said one of his followers, who had just come out of the house, "you have more to forgive than you are aware of; your son is married." "Married!" exclaimed the old chief. "Is the blood of the first race on the plains of Kipchâk contaminated? Has he married the daughter of a citizen of Nishâpoor?" "No," said the man, "she belongs to a family of rank; she is beautiful as the full moon, and has besides a rich dower; having been divorced, in a fit of passion, by an ill-tempered wealthy old merchant, who was wholly unworthy of her, but who threatens to take this inestimable pearl from your highness's son Omar Beg." "Where is the old villain," said the chief, "that dares to claim any one whom I protect?" and he struck his spear on the ground in a rage that made Hajee Sâlah tremble for his life; "but let me see and embrace my long lost boy." He went into the house, but soon returning, directed two of his finest led horses to be brought to the door, on one of which Omar was mounted, and on the other his bride; and away they rode at full speed. Three men were left behind; two remained in the house; and the third guarded Hajee Sâlah, who stood trembling and holding the two horses, inwardly cursing himself and his agent for selecting a wild Tûrkûmân as a convenient bridegroom to a beautiful Persian lady. After a delay of some hours the Tûrkûmâns followed their companions. The house at which this scene occurred had been so cautiously selected by Hajee Sâlah to avoid observation, that nobody observed what was passing. The moment he was relieved he ran to the palace of the governor, calling aloud for justice. The governor had gone a hunting, and was not expected till night. When he returned he was so fatigued that he could not be seen till next day. Then so many proofs were required, and so many delays took place, that the Hajee began to suspect the ruler of the city was in league with the Tûrkûmân chief. But when he afterwards learnt that the whole was a contrivance, that Omar's sister was the wife of the governor, and that the parents of Maidee had been reconciled to the marriage, all hope of redress vanished, and he immediately left Nishâpoor, amid the laughter of high and low, for all seemed equally delighted at what had happened to Hajee Sâlah, the cross-grained. His name has ever since been recorded in story, as an example of the fate which awaits age and ill temper when they aspire to possess youth and beauty, without knowing how to appreciate and guard such blessings, when they have obtained them. FOOTNOTES: [99] Fatima-ool-Masoomah. [100] This phrase is applied to those slaves acquired in wars with infidels. [101] Tripoli in Syria: the Christians must have been some of the Crusaders.