Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/245

 PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM             229 you vouchsafe to come and be merry with us?"

"I shall be very glad," replied Zeyn, "to be admitted to your feast."

Mobarec immediately led him under a dome where the company was, seated him at the table, and served him. The merchants of Cairo were surprised and whispered to one another. "Who is this stranger to whom Mobarec pays so much respect?"

When they had dined, Mobarec, directing his discourse to the company, said: "Know, my friends, that this young stranger is the son of the Sultan of Bussorah, my late master. His father purchased me and died without making me free; so that I am still a slave, and consequently all I have of right belongs to this young prince, his sole heir."

Here Zeyn interrupted him. "Mobarec," said he, "I declare, before all these guests, that I make you free from this moment, and that I renounce all right to your person and all you possess. Consider what you would have me do more for you."

Mobarec kissed the ground and returned the prince most hearty thanks.