Khaled filled with confusion withdrew to his tent, not knowing what to do, nor what would be the end of the passionate love which he suddenly felt rise within him.  He was seized with disgust for all these warlike habits and tastes, which had reduced him to the melancholy plight in which he found himself.  His distaste for women was changed into love.  He sent for his mother and related to her all that had occurred.  “My son,” she said, “all these circumstances should render Djaida still dearer to you.  Wait patiently a little, until I have been able to go and ask her of her mother.”  She straightway mounted her camel, and started through the desert on the tracks of Djaida, who immediately on her arrival home had told her mother all that had happened.  As soon as the mother of Khaled had arrived, she flung herself into the arms of her kinswoman and demanded Djaida in marriage for her son, for Zahir had not yet returned from his foray.  When Djaida heard from her mother the request of Khaled, she said, “This shall never be, though I be forced to drink the cup of death.  That which occurred at his tents was brought about by me to quench the fire of my grief and unhappiness, and soothe the anguish of my heart.”

At these words the mother of Khaled, defeated of her object, went back to her son, who was tortured by the most cruel anxiety.  He rose suddenly to his feet, for his love had reached the point of desperation, and asked with inquietude what were the feelings of his cousin.  When he learned the answer of Djaida his distress became overwhelming, for her refusal only increased his passion.  “What is to be done, my mother,” he exclaimed.  “I see no way of escaping from this embarrassment,” she replied, “excepting you assemble all your horsemen from among the Arab sheiks, and from among those with whom you are on friendly terms.  Wait until your uncle returns from the campaign, and then, surrounded by your followers, go to him, and in the presence of the assembled warriors, demand of him his daughter in marriage.  If he deny that he has a daughter, tell him all that has happened, and urge him until he gives way to your demand.”  This advice, and the plan proposed moderated the grief of Khaled.  As soon as he learned that his uncle had returned home, he assembled all the chiefs of his family and told his story to them.  All of them were very much astonished, and Madi Kereb. one of the Khaled’s bravest companions, could not help saying:  “This is a strange affair; we have always heard say that your uncle had a son named Djonder, but now the truth is known.  You are certainly the man who has most right to the daughter of your uncle.  It is therefore our best course to present ourselves in a body and prostrate ourselves before him, asking him to return to his family and not to give his daughter to a stranger.”  Khaled, without hearing any more, took with him a hundred of his bravest horsemen, being those who had been brought up with Moharib and Zahir from their childhood, and,