32 FF Prince Beder and
a

he, within himself, stopping and considering her with great attention,

“this must be the Princess Giauhara,. whom fear has obliged to

abandon her father’s palace. This said, he came forward, and

approached the princess with profound reverence. ‘Madam,’ said

he, ‘a greater happiness could not have befallen me than this

opportunity to offer you my most humble services. I beseech

you, therefore, madam, to accept them, it being impossible that

a lady in this solitude should not want assistance.’

‘True, my lord,’ replied Giauhara very sorrowfully, ‘it is not.a
little extraordinary for a lady of my rank to be in this situation.
I am a princess, daughter of the King of Samandal, and my name
is Giauhara. I was in my father’s palace, when all of a sudden I
heard a dreadful noise: news was immediately brought me that
King Saleh, I know not for what reason, had forced his way into
the palace, seized the king my father, and murdered all the guards
that made any resistance. I had only time to save myself, and
escaped hither from his violence,’

At these words of the princess, King Beder began to be
* concerned that he had quitted his grandmother so hastily, without
staying to hear from her an explanation of the news that had
been brought her. But he was, on the other hand, overjoyed to
find that the king, his uncle, had rendered himself master of the
King of Samandal’s person, not doubting but that he would consent
to give up the princess for his liberty. ‘Adorable princess,’ continued _
he, ‘your concern is most just,-but it is easy to put an end both
to that and to your father’s captivity. You will.agree with me when
I tell you that I am Beder, King of Persia, and King Saleh is my
uncle; I assure you, madam, he has no design to seize upon. the
king your father’s dominions; his only intent is to obtain his
consent that I may have the honour and happiness of being his son-
in-law. | I had already given my heart to you, and now, far from
repenting of what I have done, I beg of you to be assured that I