' 'I hear and obey,' answered Keshkesh. So the two
Afrits lifted up the Princess Budour and flying away with her,
carried her back to her own place and laid her on her bed, whilst
Maimouneh abode alone with Kemerezzeman, gazing upon him as he
slept, till the night was all but spent, when she went her way.
At break of day, the prince awoke from sleep and turned right and
left, but found not the young lady by him and said in himself,
'What is this? It would seem as if my father would fain incline
me to marriage with the young lady, that was with me, and have
now taken her away by stealth, to the intent that my desire for
marriage may redouble.' Then he called out to the eunuch who
slept at the door, saying, 'Out on thee, O accursed one, arise
forthright!' So the eunuch arose, dazed with sleep, and
brought him basin and ewer, whereupon Kemerezzeman entered the
draught-house and did his need; then, coming out, made his
ablutions and prayed the morning-prayer, after which he sat
telling his beads. Then he looked up, and seeing the eunuch
standing waiting upon him, said to him, 'Out on thee, O Sewab!
Who was it came hither and took away the young lady from beside
me, whilst I slept?' 'O my lord, what young lady?' asked the
eunuch.
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