led him
from walking; at the few first steps he fell on the ground, and his
people were obliged to lay him on a bed, where he remained many days in
such a state of insensibility, as excited compassion in the Emir himself.

When the procession was arrived at the grot of Meimoune, Shaban and
Sutlememe dismissed the whole of the train, excepting the four
confidential eunuchs who were appointed to remain. After resting some
moments near the biers, which had been left in the open air, they caused
them to be carried to the brink of a small lake, whose banks were
overgrown with a hoary moss; this was the great resort of herons and
storks, which preyed continually on little blue fishes. The dwarfs,
instructed by the Emir, soon repaired thither, and, with the help of the
eunuchs, began to construct cabins of rushes and reeds, a work in which
they had admirable skill; a magazine also was contrived for provisions,
with a small oratory for themselves, and a pyramid of wood neatly piled,
to furnish the necessary fuel, for the air was bleak in the hollows of
the mountains.

At evening two fires were kindled on the brink of the lake, and the two
lovely bodies, taken from their biers, were carefully deposited upon a
bed of dried leaves within the same cabin. The dwarfs began to recite
the Koran with their clear shrill voices, and Shaban and Sutlememe stood
at some distance, anxiously waiting the effects of the powder. At length
Nouronihar and Gulchenrouz faintly stretched out their arms, and
gradually opening their eyes, began to survey with looks of increasing
amazement every object around them; they even attempted to rise, but for
want of strength fell back again; Sutlememe on this administered a
cordial, which the Emir had taken care to provide.

Gulchenrouz, thoroughly aroused, sneezed out aloud, and raising himself
with an effort that expressed his surprise, left the cabin, and inhaled
the fresh air with the greatest avidity.

"Yes," said he, "I breathe again! again do I exist! I hear sounds! I
behold a firmament spangled over with stars!"

Nouronihar, catching these beloved accents, extricated herself from the
leaves, and ran to clasp Gulchenrouz to her bosom. The first objects she
remarked were their long simars, their garlands of flowers, and their
naked feet; she hid her face in her hands to reflect; the vision of the
enchanted bath, the despair of her father, and, more vividly than both,
the majestic figure of Vat