bliss? But, alas! I am not in a state of
bliss; I feel as earthly as I did before; deep melancholy and yearning
are gnawing my heart." As she said these words her eyes glanced at a
bread tree which overhung a fountain. It looked so innoxious that she
plucked some fruit, ate it, took some water in the hollow of her hands
and drank. She felt herself refreshed and invigorated by her scanty
repast, and her heart felt lighter. The setting sun shone kindly on
her through the deep clefts of the snow-capped mountains that bounded
the horizon, as he cast his beams on the gold leaved shrub, called
_Dsaac_, which bloomed on the brink. Flying fish moved their silver
fins in his last rays. Gulhyndi walked peacefully back to her grotto
amid the evening song of the twittering birds. A sweet slumber soon
came over her as she reclined on her couch, during which a pleasant
dream showed her her beloved Ali.

For some days she repeated her walk, and at evening returned to her
grotto. The young king came daily with increased pomp; he spoke kindly
to Gulhyndi, had dances and music performed, and sang himself, whilst
his eyes tenderly contemplated her charms. She continued taciturn and
reserved; she touched none of the dainties that were placed before her,
and opened neither her ear nor her heart to his singing. He always
smiled when he departed and said: "The earthly nature must be purified."

Gulhyndi was delighted when he was gone, for she could then wander
about in the delightful and verdant region. Oh, how much did she wish
that her Ali was with her! The beauties of nature were here greater
than imagination could conceive. Among the many variegated birds she
was particularly pleased with a pheasant of the Argus species; she
tamed him in the few first days; he walked by her side, stood before
her in the sun, with his yellow body and black spots on his wings; his
head and neck were red, and the former was adorned by a blue crest.
When she stroked him he spread out his long wings with orange feathers
like a fan, which glittered with large oval eyes. In the fresh green
meadows she found a quantity of the fine plant called _ginseng_, which
the eastern nations so highly esteem, because it cures all diseases.
She had no doubt that she was in Paradise; but for the angel, as he was
called, she could feel no affection, having, on the contrary, a dislike
to him. He seemed to be a sensual spirit, and though so handsome she
thought