through intermediates。 He found the opportunity to appear before me as I was
returning from the public baths。 His eyes were as brilliant as fire； and I
immediately fell in love。 He was a dark…haired； fair…skinned； green…eyed man
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with strong arms； but at heart； he was innocent and quiet like a sleepy child。
Nevertheless； it seemed； to me at least； that he also had the tang of blood
about him； perhaps because he expended all his strength slaying men in battle
and amassing booty； even though at home he was as gentle and quiet as a lady。
This man—whom my father looked upon as a penniless soldier； and hence；
disapproved of—was later allowed to marry me because I threatened to kill
myself otherwise。 And after they gave him a military fief worth ten thousand
silver coins； a reward for his heroism in battle after battle wherein he
performed the greatest acts of bravery； truly； everyone envied us。
Four years ago when he failed to return with the rest of the army from
warring against the Safavids I wasn’t worried at first。 For the more experience
he had on the battlefield； the more adept and clever he became in creating
opportunities for himself； in bringing home greater spoils； in winning larger
fiefs； and in enlisting more soldiers of his own。 There were witnesses who said
he fled to the mountains with his own men after he became separated from a
division of the army。 In the beginning； I suspected a scheme and hoped he’d
return； but after two years； I slowly grew accustomed to his absence； and when
I realized how many