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being a stranger to the path； she had not gone far till she began to repent of
her rashness。
〃Alas！〃 said she； 〃that I were but in those secure and illuminated
apartments where my evenings glided on with Gulchenrouz！ Dear child！
how would thy heart flutter with terror wert thou wandering in these wild
solitudes like me！〃 At the close of this apostrophe she regained her road；
and； coming to steps hewn out in the rock； ascended them undismayed； the
light； which was now gradually enlarging； appeared above her on the
summit of the mountain； at length she distinguished a plaintive and
melodious union of voices； proceeding from a sort of cavern； that
resembled the dirges which are sung over tombs； a sound； likewise； like
that which arises from the filling of baths； at the same time struck her ear；
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she continued ascending； and discovered large wax torches in full blaze
planted here and there in the fissures of the rock； this preparation filled her
with fear； whilst the subtle and potent odour which the torches exhaled
caused her to sink almost lifeless at the entrance of the grot。
Casting her eyes within in this kind of trance； she beheld a large
cistern of gold filled with a water； whose vapour distilled on her face a
dew of the essence of roses； a soft symphony resounded through the grot；
on the sides of the cistern she noticed appendages of royalty； diadems； and
feathers of the heron； all sparkling with carbuncles； whilst her attention
was fixed on this display of magnificence； the music ceased； and a voice
instantly demanded：
〃For what monarch were these torches kindled； this bath prepared； and
these habiliments； which belong； not only to the sovereigns of the earth；
but even to the Talismanic Powers？〃
To which a second voice answered： 〃They are for the charming
daughter of the Emir Fakreddin。〃
〃What；〃 replied the first； 〃for that trifler； who consumes her time with
a giddy child； immersed in softness； and who at best can make but an
enervated husband？〃
〃And can she；〃 rejoined the other voice； 〃be amused with such empty
trifles； whilst the Caliph； the sovereign of the world； he who is destined to
enjoy the treasures of the pre…adamite Sultans； a prince six feet high； and
whose eyes pervade the inmost soul of a female； is inflamed with the love
of her。 No！ she will be wise enough to answer that passion alone that can
aggrandise her glory； no doubt she will； and despise the puppet of her
fancy。 Then all the riches this place contains； as well as the carbuncle of
Giamschid； shall be hers。〃
〃You judge right；〃 returned the first voice； 〃and I haste to Istakar to
prepare the palace of subterranean fire for the reception of the bridal pair。〃
The voices ceased； the torches were extinguished； the most entire
darkness succeeded； and Nouronihar； recovering with a start； found herself
reclined on a sofa in the harem of her father。 She clapped her hands； and
immediately came together Gulchenrouz and her women； who； in despair
at having lost her； had despatched eunuchs to seek her in every direction；
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Shaban appeared with the rest； and began to reprimand her with an air of
consequence：
〃Little impertinent；〃 said he； 〃whence got you false keys？ or are you
beloved of some Genius that hath given you a pick…lock？ I will try the
extent of your power； come； to your chamber！ through the two skylights；
and expect not the company of Gulchenrouz； be expeditious！ I will shut
you up in the double tower。〃
At these menaces Nouronihar indignantly raised her head； opened on
Shaban her black eyes； which； since the important dialogue of the
enchanted grot； were considerably enlarged； and said： 〃Go； speak thus to
slaves； but learn to reverence her who is born to give laws； and subject all
to her power。〃
She was proceeding in the same style； but was interrupted by a sudden
exclamation of 〃The Caliph！ The Caliph！〃 The curtains at once were
thrown open； and the slaves prostrate in double rows； whilst poor little
Gulchenrouz hid himself beneath the elevation of a sofa。 At first
appeared a file of black eunuchs； trailing after them long trains of muslin
embroidered with gold； and holding in their hands censers； which
dispensed as they passed the grateful perfume of the wood of aloes； next
marched Bababalouk with a solemn strut； and tossing his head as not over…
pleased at the visit； Vathek came close after； superbly robed； his gait was
unembarrassed and noble； and his presence would have engaged
admiration； though he had not been the sovereign of the world； he
approached Nouronihar with a throbbing heart； and seemed enraptured at
the full effulgence of her radiant eyes； of which he had before caught but a
few glimpses； but she instantly depressed them； and her confusion
augmented her beauty。
Bababalouk； who was a thorough adept in coincidences of this nature；
and knew that the worst game should be played with the best face；
immediately made a signal for all to retire； and no sooner did he perceive
beneath the sofa the little one's feet； than he drew him forth without
ceremony； set him upon his shoulders； and lavished on him as he went off
a thousand odious caresses； Gulchenrouz cried out； and resisted till his
cheeks became the colour of the blossom of the pomegranate； and the tears
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that started into his eyes shot forth a gleam of indignation； he cast a
significant glance at Nouronihar； which the Caliph noticing； asked： 〃Is that
then your Gulchenrouz？〃
〃Sovereign of the world？〃 answered she； 〃spare my cousin； whose
innocence and gentleness deserve not your anger。〃
〃Take comfort；〃 said Vathek； with a smile； 〃he is in good hands。
Bababalouk is fond of children； and never goes without sweetmeats and
comfits。〃
The daughter of Fakreddin was abashed； and suffered Gulchenrouz to
be borne away without adding a word。 The tumult of her bosom betrayed
her confusion； and Vathek； becoming still more impassioned； gave a loose
to his frenzy； which had only not subdued the last faint strugglings of
reluctance； when the Emir； suddenly bursting in； threw his face upon the
ground at the feet of the Caliph； and said：
〃Commander of the Faithful！ abase not yourself to the meanness of
your slave。〃
〃No； Emir；〃 replied Vathek； 〃I raise her to an equality with myself； I
declare her my wife； and the glory of your race shall extend from one
generation to another。〃
〃Alas！ my lord；〃 said Fakreddin； as he plucked off the honours of his
beard； 〃cut short the days of your faithful servant； rather than force him to
depart from his word。 Nouronihar； as her hands evince； is solemnly
promised to Gulchenrouz； the son of my brother Ali Hassan； they are
united also in heart； their faith is mutually plighted； and affiances so
sacred cannot be broken。〃
〃What then！〃 replied the Caliph； bluntly； 〃would you surrender this
divine beauty to a husband more womanish than herself？ and can you
imagine that I will suffer her charms to decay in hands so inefficient and
nerveless？ No！ she is destined to live out her life within my embraces：
such is my will； retire； and disturb not the time I devote to the homage of
her charms。〃
The irritated Emir drew forth his sabre； presented it to Vathek； and
stretching out his neck； said in a firm tone of voice： 〃Strike your
unhappy host； my lord！ he has lived long enough； since he hath seen the