were open and they remained open: but only the chilling night wind crept into the great solitude of her bosom, and the cruel disappointment of waking mocked her vain dreams of revived happiness.
And Arvah heard her through the night calling for Antar.
2.
Far away from Rheda and her son, across the shadowy forest and the silvered river, there was a sound of revelry and music. Within a court, open towards the top to the balmy air, and hung on all sides with striped silks and gorgeous tapestries, Damma gave a feast; and at her side, gazing into her liquid eyes or watching every mood of her humour, was Antar. His look was full of love, such as years before he had given to Rheda, the pure maiden whom with all promises he had taken into his keeping for good report and ill. But Damma was young, and Rheda was growing old now. Not that Rheda was no longer beautiful: rather had she grown more beautiful
