Volume Seven-第75章

so make us ready the place and expect us.' Then she took out of her breastpocket a purse of dinars and gave this message，'My lady saluteth thee and saith to thee，'Take this and provide therewith what the case requireth.' But I swore that I would accept naught of it； so she took the purse and returning to her mistress，told her，'He would not receive the money，but gave it back to me.' 'No matter，' answered Shams alNahar. As soon as the slavegirl was gone'（continued the jeweller），'I arose and betook myself to my other house and transported thither all that was needful，by way of vessels and furniture and rich carpets；and I did not forget china vases and cups of glass and gold and silver； and I made ready meat and drink required for the occasion. When the damsel came and saw what I had done，it pleased her and she bade me fetch Ali bin Bakkar； but I said，'None shall bring him save thou.' Accordingly she went to him and brought him back perfectly dressed and looking his best. I met him and greeted him and then seated him upon a divan befitting his condition，and set before him sweetscented flowers in vases of china and varicoloured glass.[211] Then I set on a tray of manytinted meats such as broaden the breast with their sight，and sat talking with him and diverting him，whilst the slavegirl went away and was absent till after sundownprayers，when she returned with Shams alNahar，attended by two maids and none else. Now as soon as she saw Ali bin Bakkar and he saw her，he rose and embraced her，and she on her side embraced him and both fell in a fit to the ground. They lay for a whole hour insensible； then，coming to themselves，they began mutually to complain of the pains of separation. Thereupon they drew near to each other and sat talking charmingly，softly，tenderly； after which they somewhat perfumed themselves and fell to thanking me for what I had done for them. Quoth I，'Have ye a mind for food？'