The jeweller, who knew no better way of diverting him from his despair than by bringing Schemselnihar into his mind, and giving him some shadow of hope, told him, he feared the confidant might be come from her lady, and therefore it would not be proper to stay any longer from home.  “I will let you go,” said the prince, “but conjure you, that if you see her, you recommend to her to assure Schemselnihar, that if I die, as I expect to do shortly, I shall love her to the last moment, even in the grave.”

The jeweller returned home, and waited in expectation of seeing the confidant, who came some hours after, but all in tears, and in great affliction.  The jeweller alarmed, asked her what was the matter?  She answered, that Schemselnihar, the prince, herself, and he, were all ruined.  “Hear the sad news,” said she, “as it was told me just upon my entering the palace after I had left you

“Schemselnihar had for some fault chastised one of the slaves you saw with her when you met in your other house.  The slave, enraged at the ill treatment, ran immediately away, and finding the gate open, went out; so that we have just reason to believe she has discovered all to an eunuch of the guard, who gave her protection.

“But this is not all; the other slave her companion has fled too, and has taken refuge in the caliph’s palace.  So that we may well fear she has borne her part in this discovery:  for just as I came away, the caliph had sent twenty of his eunuchs for Schemselnihar, who have carried her to the palace.  I just found means to come and tell you this.  I know not what has passed, yet I fear no good; but above all, I recommend to you to keep the secret inviolate.”

The confidant added to what she had related before to the jeweller, that it was proper he should go immediately and acquaint the prince with the whole affair, that he might be prepared for every event, and keep faithful to the common cause.  She went away in haste, without staying for any answer.

What answer could the jeweller have made in the condition he was in?  He stood motionless as if thunderstruck.  He found, however, that there was no time to be lost, and immediately went to give the prince information.  He addressed him with an air, that sufficiently shewed the bad news he brought.  “Prince,” said he, “arm yourself with courage and patience, and prepare to receive the most terrible shock that ever you had to encounter.”

“Tell me in a few words,” replied the prince, “what is the matter, without keeping me in suspense; I am, if necessary, prepared to die.”

Then the jeweller repeated all that he had learnt from the confidant.  “You see,” continued he, “your destruction is inevitable.  Rise, save yourself by flight, for the time is precious.  You, of all men, must not expose yourself to the anger of the caliph, and, less than any, confess in the midst of torture.”