After Schemselnihar had quieted the fears of the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher, she ordered the slave, her confidant, to go and speak to Mesrour, and the two other officers, till she had put herself in a condition to receive them, and could send her to introduce them.  Immediately she ordered all the windows of’ the saloon to be shut, and the painted cloth on the side of the garden to be let down:  and after having assured the prince and Ebn Thaher that they might continue there without any fear, she went out at the gate leading to the garden, and closed it upon them:  but whatever assurance she had given them of their safety, they were full of apprehension all the while they remained there.

As soon as Schemselnihar had reached the garden with the women that had followed her, she ordered all the seats, which served the women who played on the instruments, to be placed near the window, where the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher heard them; and having got things in order, she sat down upon her silver throne:  she then sent notice to the slave her confidant to bring in the chief of the eunuchs, and his two subaltern officers.

They appeared, followed by twenty black eunuchs all handsomely clothed, with cimeters by their sides, and gold belts of four inches broad.  As soon as they perceived the favourite Schemselnihar at a distance, they made her a profound reverence, which she returned them from her throne.  When they approached, she arose and went to meet Mesrour, who advanced first; she asked what news he brought?  He answered, “Madam, the commander of the faithful has sent me to signify that he cannot live longer without seeing you; he designs to do himself that pleasure this night, and I am come to give you notice, that you may be ready to receive him.  He hopes, madam, that you will receive him with as much pleasure as he feels impatience to see you.”

At these words the favourite Schemselnihar prostrated herself to the ground, as a mark of that submission with which she received the caliph’s order.  When she rose, she said, “Pray tell the commander of the faithful, that I shall always reckon it my glory to execute his majesty’s commands, and that his slave will do her utmost to receive him with all the respect that is due to him.”  At the same time she ordered the slave her confidant to tell the black women appointed for that service to get the palace ready to receive the caliph, and dismissing the chief of the eunuchs, said to him, “You see it requires some time to get all things ready, therefore I entreat you to curb his majesty’s impatience, that, when he arrives, he may not find things out of order.”