the master miniaturist—nothing but imperfections； were deeply disturbed by
them。 In the paintings； which the Khan observed at length； he felt that his
former bliss had been disrupted in numerous ways； and he grew increasingly
jealous of his Tatar beauty who was depicted with the individual touch of the
painter。 So； with the intention of making his pretty Tatar jealous； he made love
with another concubine。 His beloved was so bereft upon learning of this
betrayal from the harem gossips that she silently hanged herself from a cedar
tree in the harem courtyard。 The Khan； understanding the mistake he’d made
and realizing that the miniaturist’s own fascination with style lay behind this
terrible incident； immediately blinded this master artist whom the Devil had
tempted。
71
BA
Once upon a time in a country in the East there was an elderly Sultan； a lover
of illustrations； illuminations and miniatures； who lived happily with his
Chinese wife of unsurpassed beauty。 Alas； it soon happened that the Sultan’s
handsome son from a previous marriage and the Sultan’s young wife had
bee enamored of each other。 The son； who lived in terror of his treachery
against his father； and ashamed of his forbidden love； sequestered himself in
the bookmaker’s workshop and gave himself over to painting。 Since he painted
out of the sorrow and strength of his love； each of his paintings was so
magnificent that admirers couldn’t distinguish them from the work of the old
masters。 The Sultan took great pride in his son； and his young Chinese wife
would say； “Yes； magnifice