lodger； with whom I was forced to share a caravansary cell； were going to
recount a heart…warming story。
257
The Head Treasurer diffidently said； “Our Sultan； one year prior； charged me
with having an illuminated manuscript prepared under conditions of the
utmost privacy； a manuscript that would be included among the gifts meant
for an ambassadorial delegation。 In light of the secrecy of the book； His
Excellency did not deem it appropriate that Master Lokman the Royal
Historian be enlisted to write the manuscript。 Similarly； He did not venture to
involve you； ires。 Indeed； He supposed that you
were already fully engaged with the Book of Festivities。”
Upon entering this room I had abruptly assumed that some wretch had
slandered me； claiming that I was mitting heresy in such…and…such an
illustration and that I’d lampooned the Sovereign in another； I imagined with
horror that this tattler had been able to convince the Sovereign of my guilt and
that I was about to be laid out for torture with no consideration for my age。
And so to hear that the Head Treasurer was simply trying to make amends for
Our Sultan’s having missioned a manuscript from an outsider—these
words were sweeter than honey indeed。 Without learning anything new； I
listened to an account of the manuscript； about which I was already well
aware。 I was privy to the rumors about Nusret Hoja of Erzurum； and naturally；
to the intrigues within the workshop。
“Who is responsible for preparing the manuscript？” I asked。
“Enishte Effendi； as you know；” said t