. The adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan. y thrown overtheir heads, which, upon my appearance, by a habit commonto all our women, they drew tight over their faces, merelykeeping one eye free. Peace be unto you, khanums ! said I (for I knew how anappearance of great respect conciliates),— I am come, on thepart of the mollah Nadan, to make you a tender of my humbleservices ; and, perhaps, as you know the object of my visit,you will not object to lay your veils on one side. May you abide in peace, said they, mollah ! and thengave me to understand, by many flattering speeches, that Iwas welcome,
. The adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan. y thrown overtheir heads, which, upon my appearance, by a habit commonto all our women, they drew tight over their faces, merelykeeping one eye free. Peace be unto you, khanums ! said I (for I knew how anappearance of great respect conciliates),— I am come, on thepart of the mollah Nadan, to make you a tender of my humbleservices ; and, perhaps, as you know the object of my visit,you will not object to lay your veils on one side. May you abide in peace, said they, mollah ! and thengave me to understand, by many flattering speeches, that Iwas welcome, and that they hoped my presence would bringthem good luck. Two of them immediately unveiled, and discovered faceswhich had long bade adieu to their lilies and roses ; and uponwhich, notwithstanding the help of the surmeh round the eye-lids, the blue stars on the forehead and chin, and the rouge onthe cheeks, I could, in broad characters, make out a longcatalogue of Avrinkles. The third lady carefully continued tokeep herself veiled. 324. ^iCA^lKW. Haiji intet-zie^vs the /ah- candidates fcr marriage. THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA I did not hesitate to make an exclamation of surprise, assoon as the two charmers had opened their battery of smilesupon me. Praises to Allah ! Mashallah ! said I, this is asight worthy of Ferhad himself. Do not look too intenselyupon me, for fear that I consume. What eyes ! what noses !what lips ! Have pity upon me, and cease looking. But why,said I, does this khanum—(pointing to the unveiled one)— why does she hold me so long in suspense ? Perhaps shethinks me unworthy of contemplating her charms ; and shethinks right, for I am only a poor mollah, whilst doubtless eventhe sun, in all its majesty, is not entitled to such high privilege. Why do you make this ?ias (coyness) ? said her com-panions to her ; you know he must be able to give an accountof us, or else the curse of single life will be our fate, and weshall remain the scorn and reproach of
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