Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/176

Rh went out of doors and those who stayed at home, and questioned them about it. But as they all vowed that they knew nothing whatever of the history of the letter, I said, "I am not making this inquiry through jealousy of him who loves one amongst you; but that she who knows anything of his case may be a gift from me to him, with all that she has and a hundred dinârs." Then I wrote an answer, thanking the writer for his letter, and begging his acceptance of his beloved, which letter I placed beside the house with a hundred dinârs. And I proclaimed, "Whoso knoweth aught of this, let him take it."

But the letter and the money remained for days, and no one took them away. And I was vexed about it, and said, "He has been satisfied by the sight of her whom he loves." So I forbade those of the slave-girls whose business took them abroad from leaving the house.

And only a day or so had passed, when lo! the servant came to me bringing with him a letter. And he said, "This has been sent to you by one of your friends." So I said, "Go out, and bring him in to me;" and he went out, but found no one. Then I opened the letter, and behold! it contained these lines: