with sincerity of heart, and
having expressed penitence, and prayed for pardon, she became a [true]
_Musalman_. I then threw myself at her feet [and thanked her]. Until
the morning she continued reciting the _kalima_, and praying for
pardon. Again she said, 'Well, I have embraced your faith, but my
parents are idolators; what remedy is there for them?' I replied, 'what
is that to thee? as any one acts, so will he be treated.' She said,
'They have betrothed me to my uncle's son, and he is an idolator; if I
should be married to him tomorrow, which God forbid, he, an idolator,
would cohabit with me, and I should bear issue, which would be a
dreadful misfortune. We ought immediately to think of some remedy for
this, so that I may be freed from such a calamity,' I replied, 'what
you say is indeed reasonable; do whatever you think proper.' She said,
'I will remain here no longer, but go forth somewhere else.' I asked,
'by what means can you escape, and where will you go?' She answered,
'In the first place, do you leave me here, and go and abide with
the _Musalmans_ in the _sarai_, so that every one may hear of it,
and not suspect you. You will there continue on the look out for
[the departure of] vessels, and if any vessel sails for Persia, let
me know; for which reason I will send the nurse to you frequently,
and when you send me word [that all is ready,] I will come to you,
and having embarked in the vessel, I will effect my escape and obtain
my release from the hands of these ill-fated heathens,' I replied,
'I will devote myself as a sacrifice for your life and safety,
but what will you do with the nurse?' She answered, 'Her case can
be easily settled; I will give her a cup of strong poison. [330] The
plan was fixed upon, and when the day appeared, I went to the _sarai_,
and hired a private apartment and went and resided therein. During
this absence, I only lived in the hopes of meeting again. Two months
[331] [after this event,] when the merchants of _Rum_, of Syria, and of
_Isfahan_ were assembled together, they formed the project of returning
by water, and began to embark their merchandise on vessels. From
residing together I had formed acquaintances with most of them, and
they said to me, 'Well, sir, will you not also come [along with us];
how long will you stay in this country of infidels?' I answered,
'what have I wherewith I can return to my country? I have as my
property this only, a female slave, a chest, and a dog