What can I conclude from that?" said Jussuf. "In Allah's name, I must
give myself up as a sacrifice to a snake, because it is the will of
Heaven!"

He then broke out in desperate tears and cries.

"Listen," said the slave: "do not abandon all hope; I will give you
good counsel. She has charged me to tell the King that to-morrow she
wishes once more to visit her father in his palace. This is the first
time since she has dwelt in her own palace. The King has sent her
permission, as he thinks the prophecy cannot be now fulfilled, seeing
that he has you in his power. She will certainly go into the garden,
and pass through that farther door. When she passes, call her, and
relate your case, and beg her to deliver you. She understands your
language, and will certainly feel pity when she hears and sees you."
He now turned away as a glimmer of light fell on him from one of the
palace windows. "Farewell, I must away," whispered he; "it must not be
betrayed that I have given you advice. Do not forget to call to her:
only from her can you hope for anything. Call her Haschanascha: that
is her name." With these words he left the palace quickly.

"Haschanascha is her name! How? Is not that the name of her whom I was
to call in the ruins of the destroyed capital? Shall I not call her if
the spark in Modibjah's talisman no longer shines? Is not Haschanascha
the magic word which has led me here alone, away from all men who
understand my language and share my anxieties?"

So he spoke to himself, and determined to follow the counsel given him
by the slave.

After he had passed the night, partly in unquiet wakefulness, partly
in dozing, he observed in the early part of the morning a great
disturbance and unusual business in the courtyard. It was quiet in the
inner court, when the Princess at last came. At this moment all
pressed into the square before the palace. When Jussuf saw this, he
pulled the talisman out of his pocket, and thought, "I must see if the
stone preserves its spark. It seems a good sign of deliverance." And,
behold, as he drew it forth, the red spot shone more fiery than ever.
At noon he suddenly heard a trampling, as if the procession of slaves
of the Princess were going into the garden. He attentively watched the
appointed door, and he soon saw her pass, and her father, followed by
a long train.

At this moment Jussuf cried out, "Haschanascha! Haschanascha! pity an
unfortunate!"

On hearing the cry she looked up