Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/148

124 "See, I will just open this little vein in my arm and with a few drops of blood I will write the deed."

He did so. Then taking her right hand he slipped on her forefinger a golden ring which his dying mother had given him and which he had on his little finger. "Behold," he cried, "with this ring do I betroth thee unto me and marry thee according to the Law of Moses and Israel, God and His angels Michael and Gabriel being our witnesses."

In time they had a sweet little daughter. News of this unexpected event was duly reported by Ashmodai to King Solomon. He at once set out to visit the princess. When he reached the rock on which the tower stood, he carefully examined the brickwork which had replaced the doorway. It had not been touched. The King now ordered his servants to remove the bricks and to replace the door. He then entered the tower. All the attendants were summoned to meet King Solomon. They were in mortal dread, fearing that their lord would punish them with death on account of what had happened. When the King saw them he said:

"Do ye know anything about the marriage of the princess? Were ye present at the ceremony?"

"No, your gracious Majesty."

"I will go and ask the princess to tell me the truth, wait ye here till I return."

The King went to the room of the princess and after greeting her he asked her: