d forgotten all about the princess, and
their only wish was to find themselves back in the palace again, when,
one day, they discovered that they were standing on the shoulder of a
mountain. The stones beneath them shone as brightly as diamonds, and
both their hearts beat with joy at beholding a tiny old man
approaching them. The sight awoke all manner of recollections; the
numb feeling that had taken possession of them fell away as if by
magic, and it was with glad voices that they greeted the new-comer.
'Where are we, my friend?' asked they; and the old man told them that
this was the mountain where the sultan's daughter sat, covered by
seven veils, and the shining of the stones was only the reflection of
her own brilliance.

On hearing this news all the dangers and difficulties of their past
wandering vanished from their minds.

'How can I reach her soonest?' asked the youth eagerly. But the old
man only answered:

'Have patience, my son, yet awhile. Another six months must go by
before you arrive at the palace where she dwells with the rest of the
women. And, even so, think well, when you can, as should you fail to
make her speak, you will have to pay forfeit with your life, as others
have done. So beware!'

But the prince only laughed at this counsel--as others had also done.

* * * * *

After three months they found themselves on the top of another
mountain, and the prince saw with surprise that its sides were
coloured a beautiful red. Perched on some cliffs, not far off, was a
small village, and the prince proposed to his friend that they should
go and rest there. The villagers, on their part, welcomed them gladly,
and gave them food to eat and beds to sleep on, and thankful indeed
were the two travellers to repose their weary limbs.

The next morning they asked their host if he could tell them whether
they were still many days' journey from the princess, and whether he
knew why the mountain was so much redder than other mountains.

'For three and a half more months you must still pursue your way,'
answered he, 'and by that time you will find yourselves at the gate of
the princess's palace. As for the colour of the mountain, that comes
from the soft hue of her cheeks and mouth, which shines through the
seven veils which cover her. But none have ever beheld her face, for
she sits there, uttering no word, though one hears whispers of many
having lost their lives for her sake