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and she a thousand times turned to go back； but this luminous appearance
was always before her； urged on by an irresistible impulse； she continued
to approach it； in defiance of every obstacle that opposed her progress。
At length she arrived at the opening of the glen； but； instead of coming
up to the light； she found herself surrounded by darkness； excepting that at
a considerable distance a faint spark glimmered by fits。 She stopped a
second time； the sound of water…falls mingling their murmurs； the hollow
rustlings amongst the palm… branches； and the funereal screams of the
birds from their rifted trunks； all conspired to fill her with terror； she
imagined every moment that she trod on some venomous reptile； all the
stories of malignant Dives and dismal Gouls thronged into her memory；
but her curiosity was； notwithstanding； more predominant than her fears；
she therefore firmly entered a winding track that led towards the spark； but；
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 fo