Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp - Page 44

Author: Laurence Housman

So she went, leaving the Dervish in an ecstasy of doubt. At the expiration of the hour the door opened and she stood before him a vision of loveliness in resplendent attire bedecked with priceless jewels. A smile was on her face and her answer to him was in her eyes. She seated herself by his side and said boldly, " Thou seest how it is with me. My tears for Aladdin - who is dead - flowed till the hour was half spent; then, I know not why, they changed to tears of joy for thee, who art alive. Then I arose and arrayed myself gladly and came to thee. Yet even now I am not wholly thine, for tears - now grief now joy, I know not which - contend in mine eyes for him or thee. Wherefore come not too near me lest what thou hast won be forfeited. Perchance if we sup together with a jar of the red wine of thine own country - nay, go not thyself for the wine," said Bedr-el-Budur, be-thinking her of the Lamp. " Do not leave me. One of my slave girls will go."

While she was gone Bedr-el-Budur pretended to busy herself issuing orders to the household about the preparation of supper. And under cover of this she sought and found Aladdin. " It is well," she said as he held her to his heart and pressed his lips to hers. " But, O my beloved," he replied, " art thou sure that the Lamp is in his bosom? " "I will go and see," she answered. And she returned to the Dervish and, approaching him shyly, began to doubt the truth of this great thing - his love for her. As she did this she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes; whereat the Dervish drew her close to him and she felt the Lamp in his bosom. Immediately she wrenched herself free and left him with a glance in which disdain and love were kindly mixed. " It is so," she said on returning to Aladdin, " the Lamp is in his bosom, and, since he embraced me - I could not help it nor could I endure it, beloved - it is a wonder the Slave of the Lamp did not appear to see how I tore myself away, I was pressed so close."

Meanwhile the slave girl returned with the wine, and, supper being ready, Bedr-el-Budur invited the Dervish to sit by her at the table. And when they had eaten somewhat, she paused and questioned him with a glance. It was for him to call for wine, and he did so. Immediately a slave girl filled their goblets, and they drank; and another and another until the distance between them was melted, and they became, so to speak, the best of boon companions.