assured of [FN#122] your worship's sufficiency and am content to
trust to your word concerning her loveliness, to wit, that she is
surpassing; but, for her chastity, you cannot avail to testify
with certitude of her case." "And how," asked the Imam, "can it
be possible unto you, O my lord the Amir, to know from her face
that she is pure? An this be so, your highness is skilled in
physiognomy. However, an your highness will vouchsafe to
accompany me, I will carry you to her father's palace and make
you known to the latter, and he shall bring her before you."

Accordingly, [FN#123] the Imam Aboubekr took Zein ul Asnam and
carried him to the Vizier's house; and when they went in to him,
the Vizier rose and welcomed the prince, especially when he knew
that he was an Amir and understood from the Imam that he wished
to marry his daughter. So he let bring the damsel before him, and
when she came, he bade her raise the veil from her face.
Accordingly she unveiled herself and Zein ul Asnam, looking upon
her, was amazed at her grace and goodliness, for that never had
he seen one to match with her in beauty; and he said in himself,
"I wonder if I shall [FN#124] happen upon one like this damsel,
since it is forbidden that she should be mine!" Then he brought
out the mirror from his pocket and looked thereon; when, behold,
its crystal was clear exceedingly, as it were virgin silver; and
he observed her image in the mirror and saw it like a white dove.
So he forthright concluded the match and sent for the Cadi and
the witnesses, who wrote the writ [FN#125] and enthroned the
bride; [FN#126] after which Zein ul Asnam took the Vizier, the
bride's father, home with him to his house and sent the young
lady jewels of great price. Then they celebrated the wedding and
held high festival, never was the like thereof, whilst Zein ul