ed me. She has given her heart to a vile slave. I am fallen
from the height of an imaginary happiness into a hell where every evil
torments me. The two criminals must perish: nothing remains for me but
to proportion the punishment to the crime, and endeavour to
distinguish on which of the two my severest justice ought to fall.
But, alas! what will it cost me to execute this fatal sentence! The
same weapon which pierces the heart of my adorable Chamsada, will
wound my own with a deadly stroke."

"My son! do nothing rashly," said the nurse. "You may expose yourself
to eternal repentance. Those whom you think guilty are in your hands:
you will always have time to punish them: allow yourself time to
examine them. 'Time,' says the proverb, 'is the wisest of all
counsellors: many things are brought to light by time and patience.'"

"Ah! my good nurse, what explanation can I expect? Is there any that
could destroy an attested fact? Chamsada loves this young man; and
pretending that she had a treasure in Persia, she abused my confidence
and affection to obtain from me an order to go in search of him."

"My dear son, be calm," said the old woman. "I have a method of laying
open to you the soul of Chamsada. Cause your hunters to bring me an
egret.[17] I will tear out the heart of this bird, which I will give
to you, and as soon as Chamsada shall be asleep, you must bring it
near hers, and it will be impossible for her to conceal from you the
smallest secret."

[Footnote 17: Egret. A bird with a tuft upon its head.]

The King, delighted with having it in his power to discover so easily
the mystery which kept him in such perplexity, instantly ordered his
officers to go and catch an egret in his gardens. One was brought to
him, which he immediately gave to the old nurse. She tore its breast,
accompanying this action, extremely simple in itself, with a magical
charm, and the Sultan was put in possession of its reeking heart.

While the Prince was reflecting on the surprising virtues of this
method, the nurse had gone secretly to the apartment of Chamsada.

"Everything goes well," said she to her. "Let your heart be filled
with hope, and let your mouth be prepared to disclose the truth,
without any reserve. Expect this night to receive a mysterious visit.
It will be from the Sultan himself, with the heart of an egret in his
hand. As soon as you perceive that he brings it near yours, feign to
be asleep, but answer with precision