Thereupon they went away and I made my excuses to my friends，and asked if any of the goods that had been stolen from my other house had been returned. They answered，'Yes！ some of them have come back； by token that a man entered and threw them down within the doorway and we saw him not.' So I comforted myself and abode in my place two days，unable to rise and leave it； and presently I took courage and went to the bath，for I was worn out with fatigue and troubled in mind for Ali bin Bakkar and Shams alNahar，because I had no news of them all this time and could neither get to Ali's house nor，out of fear for my life，take my rest in mine own. And I repented to Almighty Allah of what I had done and praised Him for my safety. Presently my fancy suggested to me to go to such and such a place and see the folk and solace myself； so I went on foot to the clothmarket and sat awhile with a friend of mine there. When I rose to go，I saw a woman standing over against me； so I looked at her，and lo！ it was Shams alNahar's slavegirl. When I saw her，the world grew dark in my eyes and I hurried on. She followed me，but I was seized with affright and fled from her，and whenever I looked at her，a trembling came upon me whilst she pursued me，saying. 'Stop，that I may tell thee somewhat！' But I heeded her not and never ceased walking till I reached a mosque，and she entered after me. I prayed a twobow prayer，after which I turned to her and，sighing，said，'What cost thou want？'
第78章（3 / 3）