Zál, exulting at his success, communicated the glad tidings to Rúdábeh
by their female emissary, who had hitherto carried on successfully the
correspondence between them. But as she was conveying an answer to this
welcome news, and some presents to Zál, Síndokht, the mother of Rúdábeh,
detected her, and, examining the contents of the packet, she found
sufficient evidence, she thought, of something wrong.

"What treachery is this? What have we here!
Sirbund and male attire? Thou, wretch, confess!
Disclose thy secret doings."

The emissary, however, betrayed nothing; but declared that she was a
dealer in jewels and dresses, and had been only showing her merchandise
to Rúdábeh. Síndokht, in extreme agitation of mind, hastened to her
daughter's apartment to ascertain the particulars of this affair, when
Rúdábeh at once fearlessly acknowledged her unalterable affection for
Zál,

"I love him so devotedly, all day,
All night my tears have flowed unceasingly;
And one hair of his head I prize more dearly
Than all the world beside; for him I live;
And we have met, and we have sat together,
And pledged our mutual love with mutual joy
And innocence of heart."

Rúdábeh further informed her of Sám's consent to their nuptials, which
in some degree satisfied the mother. But when Mihráb was made acquainted
with the arrangement, his rage was unbounded, for he dreaded the
resentment of Sám and Minúchihr when the circumstances became fully