The dawn of the following morning found Hajee Sâlah at the door, anxious to abridge the happiness of the lovers as much as the law would permit. He had knocked several times and called to the inmates without receiving any answer, when he was nearly stunned by a blow on the head, and turning round, saw a savage looking Tûrkûmân mounted on a large horse, armed with a long spear, with the shaft of which he had inflicted the blow. "Hold my horse," said the fellow as he dismounted, "while I go into the house." "You have two hands, you old rascal," said another savage, giving him a second blow, and making him hold the horse on which he rode. Before the poor Hajee could recover from his surprise, a party of twenty Tûrkûmâns, with their chief, were around him. He showed an intention of escaping, but that only produced an order for his being put to death if he attempted to move from the spot.
"Where is the darling boy?" exclaimed the chief; "I have forgiven him all: I long to clasp him in my arms!" "Renowned Kâdir Beg," said one of his followers, who had just come out of the house, "you have more to forgive than you are aware of; your son is married." "Married!" exclaimed the old chief. "Is the blood of the first race on the plains of Kipchâk contaminated? Has he married the daughter of a citizen of Nishâpoor?" "No," said the man, "she belongs to a family of rank; she is beautiful as the full moon, and has besides a rich dower; having been divorced, in a fit of passion, by an ill-tempered wealthy old merchant, who was wholly unworthy of her, but who threatens to take this inestimable pearl from your highness's son Omar Beg."
"Where is the old villain," said the chief, "that dares to claim any one whom I protect?" and he struck his spear on the ground in a rage that made Hajee Sâlah tremble for his life; "but let me see and embrace my long lost boy." He went into the house, but soon returning, directed two of his finest led horses to be brought to the door, on one of which Omar was mounted, and on the other his bride; and away they rode at full speed.
Three men were left behind; two remained in the house; and the third guarded Hajee Sâlah, who stood trembling and holding the two horses, inwardly cursing himself and his agent for selecting a wild Tûrkûmân as a convenient bridegroom to a beautiful Persian lady.
