第113章 NOUREDDIN ALI AND THE DAMSEL ENIS EL JELIS.(2)
Now he knew not the affair of the damseland his father had lessoned hersaying'KnowO my daughterthat I have bought thee for the bed of the King Mohammed ben Suleiman ez Zeiniand I have a son who leaves no girl in the quarter but he has to do with her；so be on thy guard against him and beware of letting him see thy face or hear thy voice.'I hear and obey，'replied she；and the Vizier left her and went away. Some days after this it chancedas Fate would have itthat the damsel went to the bath in the housewhere some of the serving-women washed her，after which she arrayed herself in rich appareland her beauty and grace redoubled. Then she went in to the Vizier's wife and kissed her hand；and the lady said to her'May it profit theeO Enis el Jelis！How didst thou find the bath？'O my lady，'answered she'I lacked but thy presence there.'Thereupon said the mistress to her waiting-women'Come with me to the bathfor it is some days since I went thither.'We hear and obey，'answered they；and rose and accompanied her to the bathafter Enis el Jelis had retired to her own chamber and the lady had set two little slave-girls to keep the doorcharging them to let none go in to the damsel. Presentlyas Enis el Jelis sat resting after the bathin came the Vizier's sonwhose name was Noureddin Aliand asked after his mother and her womento which the two little slaves replied that they had gone to the bath. The damsel heard Noureddin's voice and said to herself'I wonder what like is this youthof whom his father says that there is not a girl in the quarter but he has had to do with her. By AllahI long to see him！'So she rosefresh as she was from the bathand going to the doorlooked at Noureddin and saw that he was like the moon at its full. The sight cost her a thousand sighsand Noureddinchancing to look that waycaught a glance of her that caused him also a thousand regretsand each fell into the snare of the other's love. Then he went up to the two little slaves and cried out at themwhereupon they fled before him and stood afar off to see what he would do. And beholdhe went up to the door of the damsel's chamber and enteringsaid to her'Art thou she whom my father bought for me？'Yes，'answered she： whereupon Noureddinwho was heated with winewent up to her and embraced herwhilst she wreathed her arms about his neck and met him with kisses and sighs and amorous gestures. Then he sucked her tongue and she hisand he did away her maidenhead.
When the two little slaves saw their young master go in to the damselthey cried out and shrieked. Soas soon as he had done his desirehe rose and fledfearing the issue of his conduct.
When the Vizier's wife heard the slaves'criesshe sprang up and came out of the bathwith the sweat dripping from hersaying，'What is this clamour in the house？'Then she came up to the two little slavesand said to them'Out on you！what is the matter？'Our lord Noureddin came in and beat us，'answered they：
'so we fled and he went in to the damsel and embraced herand we know not what he did after this： but when we cried out to thee，he fled.'Thereuponthe mistress went in to Enis el Jelis and enquired what had happened. 'O my lady，'answered she'as I was sitting herethere came in a handsome young manwho said to me，'Art thou she whom my father bought for me？'I answered'Yes；'（for by AllahO my ladyI believed that he spoke the truth！）and with this he came up to me and embraced me.'Did he nought else with thee？'asked the lady. 'Yes，'replied Enis el Jelis：
'he took of me three kisses.'He did not leave thee without deflowering thee！'cried the Vizier's wifeand fell to weeping and buffeting her faceshe and her womenfearing that Noureddin's father would kill him. Whilst they were thusin came the Vizier and asked what was the matterand his wife said to him'Swear that thou wilt hearken to what I say.'It is well，'replied he. So she told him what his son had doneand he was greatly afflicted and tore his clothes and buffeted his face and plucked out his beard. 'Do not kill thyself，'said his wife： 'I will give thee the ten thousand dinarsher priceof my own money.'But he raised his head and said to her'Out on thee！I have no need of her pricebut I fear to lose both life and goods.'How so？'asked his wifeand he said'Dost thou not know that yonder is our enemy Muin ben Sawawhowhen he hears of this affairwill go up to the Sultan and say to him'Thy Vizierwho thou wilt have it loves theehad of thee ten thousand dinars and bought therewith a slave-girlwhose like was never seen；but when he saw hershe pleased him and he said to his son'Take her： thou art worthier of her than the Sultan.'So he took her and did away her maidenheadand she is now with him.'The King will say'Thou liest！'To which Muin will reply，'With thy leaveI will fall on him at unawares and bring her to thee.'The King will order him to do thisand he will come down upon the house and take the damsel and bring her before the King，who will question her and she will not be able to deny what has passed. Then Muin will say'O my lordthou knowest that I give thee true counselbut I am not in favour with thee.'Thereupon the Sultan will make an example of meand I shall be a gazing-stock to all the people and my life will be lost.'Quoth his wife'Tell none of this thingwhich has happened privily，but commit thy case to God and trust in Him to deliver thee from this strait.'With this the Vizier's heart was set at restand his wrath and chagrin subsided.