" But he answered her not a word; so she said to her
maid, "Stand at the door and let none enter." Then she went up
to Nimeh and looking at him, was amazed at his beauty and said to
him, "O lady, tell me who thou art and how thou camest here; for
I have never seen thee in the palace." Still he answered not,
whereat she was angered and putting her hand to his bosom, found
no breasts and would have unveiled him, that she might know who
he was; but he said to her, "O my lady, I am thy slave and cast
myself on thy protection; do thou protect me." "No harm shall
come to thee," said she; "but tell me who thou art and who
brought thee into this my lodging." "O princess," answered he,
"I am known as Nimeh ben er Rebya of Cufa, and I have ventured my
life for my slave-girl Num, whom El Hejjaj took by sleight and
sent hither." "Fear not," rejoined the princess; "no harm shall
befall thee." Then, calling her maid, she said to her, "Go to
Num's chamber and bid her to me."
Meanwhile, the old woman went to Num's bed-chamber and said to
her, "Has thy lord come to thee?" "No, by Allah!" answered Num,
and the other said, "Belike he hath gone astray and entered some
chamber other than thine." "There is no power and no virtue but
in God the Most High, the Supreme!" exclaimed Num.
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