“I will demand her as my wife again to-morrow,” replied the other.  When he went to the palace next day, he found the King and all the court assembled.  When they saw him, they all rose from their seats, and when they sat down again, he alone remained standing.  “Why do you not sit down,” said the King, “for all your wishes are now fulfilled?” “I have still to ask for Shama,” he replied.  “You know,” returned the King, “that ever since her birth I have allowed Sikar Diun to make all arrangements for her.”  He now turned to Sikar Diun, who replied in a friendly tone, “She is yours, for you have fulfilled the conditions, and you have only now to give her ornaments.”  “What kind of ornaments?” asked he.  “Instead of ornaments,” replied the traitor, “we desire to receive a book containing the history of the Nile.  If you bring it us, she is wholly yours, but if not, there is no marriage to be thought of.”  “Where is it to be found?” “I cannot tell you myself.”  “Well, then,” returned Wakhs El Fellat, “if I do not bring you the book, Shama is lost to me; all present are witnesses to this.”  He went out with these words, pushing his way through the crowded assembly, and Sudun behind him, till they reached their tents.  “Why did you promise that,” said Sudun, “let us rather overcome them with the sword, and take Shama from them.”  “Not so,” replied Wakhs El Fellat, “I will only possess her honourably.”  “And yet you do not even know how to find the book,” said Sudun; “rather listen to my advice, retire to my fortress, and leave me in their power.”  “I would never act thus,” said Wakhs El Fellat, “though I should suffer death.”  After these and similar speeches, supper was brought in, and each retired to his sleeping apartment.  But Wakhs El Fellat had scarcely entered his room when Shama came in.  “What have you done,” said she, “and what engagement have you undertaken?  How can you fulfil this condition?  Do you not see that their only object is to destroy you, or at least to get rid of you?  I have come to warn you again, and I say to you once more, take me with you to Sudun’s castle, where we can live at peace, and do not act as they tell you.”  “I will carry out my engagement,” he replied; “I will not possess you like a coward, even though I should be cut to pieces with swords.”  Upon this, Shama was angry and left him, while he lay down to rest, but could not sleep.  He therefore rose up, saddled and mounted his horse and rode away, without knowing where, abandoning himself wholly to the will of God.  He wandered about thus for several days, until he reached a lonely tower.  He knocked at the door, and a voice answered, “Welcome, O thou who hast separated thyself from thy companions; enter without fear, O brave Saif, son of Zul Yezn.”  When he pushed the door it opened, and his eyes beheld a noble and venerable old man, from whose appearance it was at once obvious that he busied himself with the strictest life and fear of God.  “Welcome,” cried he again; “if you had travelled from east