Why should
you now doubt of the truth of what the holy woman told you? Our
brother's death is probably owing to some error on his part. I am
determined to know the truth, and am resolved myself to undertake this
search. To-morrow I shall set out."
The princess did all she could to dissuade Prince Perviz, conjuring
him not to expose her to the danger of losing two brothers; but all
the remonstrances she could urge had no effect upon him. Before he
went, that she might know what success he had, he left her a string of
a hundred pearls, telling her, that if they would not run when she
should count them upon the string, but remain fixed, that would be a
certain sign he had undergone the same fate as his brother; but at the
same time told her he hoped it would never happen, but that he should
have the happiness to see her again to their mutual satisfaction.
Prince Perviz, on the twentieth day after his departure, met the same
dervish in the same place as had his brother Bahman before him, and
asked of him the same question. The dervish urged the same
difficulties and remonstrances as he had done to Prince Bahman,
telling him that a young gentleman, who very much resembled him, was
with him a short time before, and had not yet returned.
"Good dervish," answered Prince Perviz, "I know whom you speak of; he
was my elder brother, and I am informed of the certainty of his death,
but know not the cause.
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