24 9 Prince Beder and
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leave of Queen Gulnare and the king his nephew. The young king,

who knew the ,king his uncle would not have departed so soon but

to go and promote his happiness without loss of time, changed

colour when he heard him mention his departure. He resolved to

desire his uncle to bring the princess away with him: but only

asked. him to stay with him one day more, that they might hunt

together. The day for hunting was fixed, and King Beder had

many opportunities of being alone with his uncle, but he had not

the courage to open his mouth. In the heat of the chase, when

King Saleh was separated from him, and not one of his officers and

attendants was near, he alighted near a rivulet; and having tied

his horse to a tree, which, with several others growing along the

banks, afforded a very pleasing shade, he laid himself down on

the grass. He remained a good while absorbed in thought, yee

speaking a. word.

King Saleh, in the meantime, missing the king his nephew;
began to be much. concerned to know what had become of him.
He therefore left his company to go in search of him, and at length
perceived him at a distance. He had observed the. day before,
and more plainly that day, that he was not so lively as he used
to be; and that if he was asked a question, he either answered
not at all, or nothing to the purpose. As soon as King Saleh
saw him lying in that disconsolate posture, he immediately guessed
he had heard what passed between him and Queen Gulnare.' He »
hereupon. alighted at some. distance from him, and having tied
his horse to a tree, came upon him so. softly, that he heard him
say to himself:

‘Amiable princess of the kingdom of Samandal, I would _ this
moment go and offer you my heart, if I knew where to find you.’ —

‘King Saleh would hear no more; he advanced immediately,
and. showed -himself to King Beder. ‘From what I see, nephew,
said he, ‘you heard what the queen your mother and I said the