Moreover, he gave him a letter
for the Khalif, saying, "Bear him this letter and bring me his
answer in all haste." So the chamberlain took the damsel, all
tearful for separation from her lord, and setting out with her
for Syria, gave not over journeying till he reached Damascus and
sought an audience of the Commander of the Faithful, to whom he
delivered the damsel and the letter. The Khalif appointed her a
separate apartment and going into his harem, said to his wife,
"El Hejjaj has bought me a female slave of the daughters
(descendants) of the (ancient) Kings of Cufa, for ten thousand
dinars, and has sent her to me with this letter." "May God
increase thee of his favour!" answered she. Then the Khalif's
sister went into Num and when she saw her, she said, "By Allah,
happy the man who hath thee in his house, were thy cost a hundred
thousand dinars!" "O fair-faced one," said Num, "what King's
palace is this?" "This is the city of Damascus," answered the
princess, "and the palace of my brother, the Commander of the
Faithful, Abdulmelik ben Merwan. Didst thou not know this?" "By
Allah, O my lady," said Num, "I had no knowledge of this!" "And
he who sold thee and took thy price," asked the princess, "did he
not tell thee that the Khalif had bought thee?" When Num heard
this, she wept and said in herself, "I have been cozened; but, if
I speak, none will credit me; so I will hold my peace and take
patience, knowing that the relief of God is near.
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