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people that stared at him, hoping to make acquaintance with some one about the court, of whom he might get news of the princess, but found no way to this, wherefore his breast was straitened.
On this wise the case abode some time, whilst the Vizier daily promised him the attainment of his desire, till, one day, as he sat in the shop, there came up an old woman of venerable and respectable appearance, clad in raiment of [white wool, such as is worn of] devotees and followed by two slave-girls like moons. She stopped before the shop and considered the prince awhile, after which, ‘Glory be to God,’ said she, ‘who fashioned that face and wrought that handiwork to perfection!’ Then she saluted him and he returned her greeting and seated her by his side. Quoth she, ‘Whence comest thou, O fair of face?’ ‘From the parts of Hind, O my mother,’ answered he; ‘and I have come to his city to see the world and look about me.’ ‘Honour to thee for a visitor!’ rejoined she. ‘What goods and stuffs hast thou? Show me something handsome, fit for kings.’ Quoth he, ‘If thou wish for handsome stuffs, I will show them to thee; for I have wares that beseem persons of every condition.’ ‘O my son,’ answered she, ‘I want somewhat costly and fair of fashion; brief, the best thou hast.’ Said he, ‘Thou must needs tell me for whom thou seekest it, that I may show thee goods according to the rank of the person in question.’ ‘Thou sayst sooth, O my son,’ replied she. ‘I want somewhat for my mistress Heyat en Nufous, daughter of Abdulcadir, lord of this land and king of this country.’
When Ardeshir heard his mistress’s name, his reason fled for joy and his heart fluttered and he gave no order to slave or servant, but, putting his hand behind him, pulled out a purse of a hundred dinars and gave it to the old woman, saying, ‘This is for the washing of thy clothes.’ Then he brought out of a wrapper a dress worth ten
