When he came before Zumurrudhe saluted and kissed the earth before herwhilst she returned his greeting and received him with honour. Then said she to him'What is thy name and condition and what brought thee hither？'O King，'answered he，'my name is Ali Shar；I am of the sons of the merchants of Khorassan and the object of my coming hither is to seek for a slave-girl whom I have lost；for she was dearer to me than my sight and my hearingand indeed my soul cleaves to hersince I lost her.'And he wepttill he swooned away. She caused sprinkle rose-water on his facetill he came to himselfwhen she said，'Bring me the table of sand and the pen.'So they brought them and she took the pen and drew a geomantic figurewhich she considered awhile；then'Thou hast spoken sooth，'quoth she.
'God will grant thee speedy reunion with her；so be not troubled.'Then she bade her chamberlain carry him to the bath and after clothe him in a handsome suit of royal appareland mount him an one of the best of the King's horses and bring him to the palace at end of day. So the chamberlain took him away，whilst the folk said to one another'What makes the King deal thus courteously with yonder youth？'And one said'Did I not tell you that he would do him no hurt？ For he is fair of aspect；
and this I knewwhen the King suffered him to eat his fill.'And each said his say；after which they all dispersed and went their ways.
As for Zumurrudshe thought the night would never comethat she might be alone with the beloved of her heart. As soon as it was duskshe withdrew to her sleeping-chamber and made as she were overcome with sleep；and it was her wont to suffer none to pass the night with hersave the two little eunuchs that waited upon her. After a littleshe sent for Ali Shar and sat down upon the bedwith candles burning at her head and feet and the place lighted with hanging lamps of gold that shone like the sun. When the people heard of her sending for Ali Sharthey marvelled and said'Algatesthe King is enamoured of this young manand to-morrow he will make him commander of the troops.'And each thought his thought and said his say. When they brought him in to herhe kissed the earth before her and called down blessings on herand she said in herself'Needs must I jest with him awhile，ere I make myself known to him.'Then said she to him'O Ali，hast thou been to the bath？'YesO my lord，'answered he.