36 THE STORY OF KHERUDIN. 



he went back to find Kherudin. When he got near Kherudin 

 he ordered him to sit down on one knee. The kathi then read 

 the marriage service, after that he spoke to Kherudin, and 

 when he had made an end of that and he had prayed in all 

 sorts of ways for the safety of the king's children, husband and 

 wife, and for their parents and for all the people in the realm, 

 when he had made an end of all that, they bore Kherudin into 

 the palace and seated him next to Princess Shamsiah. All the 

 men and all the women who saw the sight were very greatly 

 pleased, for it was for all the world just like the moon encircled 

 by stars. Next they brought the marriage cake of rice, which 

 was ornamented in many ways. Both husband and wife 

 partook of it. When they had finished eating they were next 

 led by the eunuchs and female attendants into the royal bed- 

 chamber, and the golden state curtain was lowered. Many 

 were the terms of endearment that Kherudin lavished on his 

 wife, but she bore herself most humbly. When Kherudin saw 

 that, a great pity arose in his heart and he embraced her and 

 fondled her with many sweet and kind words to soothe his 

 wife's heart. So Kherudin came to love his wife. 



Some days after, Kherudin went out hunting. His wife 

 made ready all sorts of provisions. He left behind his 

 magic ring with his wife and set off with an army of retainers 

 and with elephants and horses. While her husband was 

 away hunting the Princess Shamsiah noticed that the setting 

 of the ring was old and worn. So she ordered one of her 

 attendants to call the most skilful Chinaman in the country. 

 He quickly came to her presence and she ordered him to reset 

 the ring in a more beautiful way. The j eweller said ' ' Very well. ' ' 

 He obtained permission to return to his house. When he got 

 there he had a good look at the jewel in the ring. Never had 

 he seen so fair a gem. So that very, night he ran away with it. 



After two days time Kherudin came back from hunting 

 with all sorts of things that he had taken in the chase. 

 When he reached his wife he asked for the ring. She replied 

 that she had given it to a Chinaman to put it in a better 

 setting. The princess ordered one of her servants to go and 

 call the jeweller. When the servant reached his house she 



Jour. Straits Branch 



